Oratorical Competition 2021 - 2022

The purpose of The American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.

American Legion Chris Kyle Post 388
Oratorical 2021 - 2022 Contest Winner

Gillian Hayes
Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy
Dance Strand

About Gillian

Gillian is a Senior at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy and Junior Member of the American Legion Auxiliary Chris Kyle Unit 388. She is ranked in the top 20 percent of her class and holds a GPA of 4.294. She is the youngest daughter of Michael Hayes (Post Finance Officer) and Angela Hayes (ALA Secretary).

Gillian has been no stranger of having to perform in front of an audience considering that she has been on stage starting at the age of 6. She started dancing with Stacia’s School of Dance in 2009 - 2010 school year and has been a member of the competitive company for the last 11 years.

Gillian found an interest in public speaking when started doing some spoken word for her local church, and when presented the chance to be part of the Oratorical Contest she jumped at the idea. Not only did it allow here to speak it allowed her to express her passion and love for this country.

Gillian went on from our local post contest and also competed at district where she was the contest winner, she also was the 1st runner up at division contest with the scores only be separated by one point.

Gillian will be going on to TWU in the fall of 2022 where she will be majoring in Dance Education and Leadership. She has been awarded the TWU Legacy Leaders Scholarship which is an 11K a year scholarship (renewable for 4 years with a possible max award of 44K in total).