A local student is advancing to the next level of one of the nation’s most respected civic scholarship programs after earning top honors at the district level.
Jonas Marschner, sponsored by American Legion Folsom Post 362, has advanced from American Legion District 6 to compete in the Area 1 High School Oratorical Scholarship Contest, representing the region in Northern California competition.
District 6 includes 13 eligible American Legion Posts across the region. This year’s District competition, hosted by Folsom Post 362, also marked a strategic expansion of the program. Approximately 10 new judges were trained, and representatives from Citrus Heights Post 637 and North Sacramento Post 447 are preparing to launch the Oratorical Program within their local school communities for the 2026–2027 cycle.
Folsom Post 362 has produced the Department of California State Champion in both 2023 and 2024, reflecting the strength and consistency of the local program and its commitment to promoting civic literacy through public speaking and scholarship opportunity.
The Area 1 competition includes seven districts spanning Northern California, from the Sonoma Coast east through Sacramento and the El Dorado Gold Country to the Nevada border and north to the Oregon state line. The contest will take place Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Folsom City Council Chambers, located at 50 Natoma Street in Folsom.
In what organizers describe as a milestone for civic engagement, the Folsom City Council Chambers will be opened to an outside organization for the first time, providing a formal and dignified setting for students to demonstrate their knowledge of the United States Constitution.
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, “A Constitutional Speech Contest,” encourages high school students to develop a deeper understanding of the U.S. Constitution through prepared orations and assigned-topic presentations. Contestants are evaluated on content, originality, speaking ability and adherence to national guidelines.
Recruitment for the 2026 contest cycle has closed. Students interested in participating next year are encouraged to contact their local American Legion Post in the fall for contest dates and application timelines.
District 6 is actively fundraising to increase scholarship awards for its District winner and to support continued program growth throughout the region. District leaders extended appreciation to the Posts, volunteers, civic partners and community members whose support made this year’s contest and training efforts possible.
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