2022-2023 Oratorical Contest

2nd Annual Dr. George F. McKerley

Memorial Oratorical Contest

Prize amounts: $300 1st place;

$175 2nd place;

$100 3rd place

For more information/questions about the Oratorical competition, contact contest Chair Jim Williams, 1oldhistorian@gmail.com, 256-225-3370.

Contests are sponsored by the Jim & Shirley Justice Center

and the Calhoun County Democratic Executive Committee

The 2nd Annual George F. McKerley Memorial

Oratorical Contest Application

TITLE: "Can Democracies Survive Global Climate Change?"

Name______________________________________________________ Date of Birth / / Age _______

Address City____________________ State__________

Zip Code___________ Phone______________________ E-mail _____________________________________________________

School (circle one) Public/ Private/ Home

Name of School_____________________________________________________________ Grade ______________

Parent or Guardian Permission:

I give my permission for my child/ward to participate in this contest.

Signature___________________________________________ Date / / Relationship_________________

I,__________________________________________________ grant the Calhoun County Democratic Executive Committee my permission to use a picture of my child/ward ______________________________________________________ for their public relation purposes. (Website, FB page, newspaper)

Please use one of the following methods to download/copy or pick up the application - then get the completed application to us not later than April 13th 😊 Questions? Call the contest chair at 256-225-3370.

Completed applications must be received no later than April 13th, 2023.

• Applications may be:

  • Picked up at the Jim and Shirley Justice Center, 812 Noble Street, Anniston, AL 36201, between 10am and 4pm on Wednesdays through April 12th. (You may also RETURN the completed application to the same location during the specified hours.)

  • Downloaded and printed from the website at the link below. (See 'Click HERE to download application)

• Completed applications may be:

  • Mailed to Calhoun County Democratic Committee, PO Box 563, Jacksonville, AL 36265 - to be received no later than April 13th.

  • Dropped off at the Jim and Shirley Justice Center, 812 Noble Street, Anniston, AL between 10am and 4pm on Wednesdays through April 12th. (HQ is not open on the 13th)

  • Emailed to the contest chair at 1oldhistorian@gmail.com.

The competition will be held on April 20th at 6 pm at the Jim and Shirley Justice Center, 812 Noble Street, Anniston, AL. Questions? Call the contest chair at 256-225-3370.

2nd Annual George F. McKerley Memorial

Oratorical Contest – General Rules

Topic: “Can Democracies Survive Global Climate Change?”

Section I — Qualifications for Contestants

1. The contest is open to students grades 6 – 12 living in and attending school in Calhoun County as well as surrounding areas. Home schooled students are also encouraged to apply.

2. Each contestant shall prepare his or her own speech. The contestant may receive advice in the preparation of the speech and may make minor changes or improvements in the speech at any time. A copy of the speech will be provided to the judges at the competition.

Section II — Contest Rules

1. All contestants must speak on the official topic.

2. All contestants must state the official topic before beginning their speech in order for the timekeeper to record the exact time of the speech. A 3-point penalty is automatically assessed by the timekeeper for failure to state the official topic.

3. Any quotation or copyrighted material used in the speech must be identified verbally during the presentation and in the written copy of the speech with the original author’s name. The contestant shall be fully responsible for the use of any quoted material. Failure to identify nonoriginal material will result in disqualification.

4. The use of props, special costumes or clothing, or the use of prompters will not be permitted. The penalty will be disqualification. Notes and lecterns can be used if the contestant desires.

5. The time allowed will be not under 4 minutes or over 5 minutes. Contestants going over or under will not be cautioned and will be penalized one point for each 15 seconds or fraction of over or under the allotted time. This penalty will be determined by the official timekeeper.

6. Timing will begin immediately after the official topic is expressed. Any salutation to judges, audience, etc., should precede the announcement of the topic. Timing will stop when the contestant finishes.

7. No reference can be made that identifies the student, parents, school, community, or sponsor. This will result in a deduction of 5 points or a fraction of based on the degree of identification.

8. Contestants shall not be identified by name until after the last speech has been presented and the judges and timekeeper have left the room.

9. Any protest in the conduct at any level of this contest must be made immediately after the condition is noted. Protests received after the next contestant has been introduced, or in the case of the last contestant, after the judges leave to total the scores, will not be accepted under any circumstances.

10. The Contest Chairperson will decide all protests in accordance with the official rules. The decision of the Contest Chair is final and no higher appeals will be recognized.