Patrick Junker of Waukee, Iowa, won The American Legion’s National Oratorical Contest

High school junior Patrick Junker of Waukee, Iowa, won an $18,000 scholarship and The American Legion’s 82nd annual National Oratorical Contest, “A U.S. Constitutional Speech Contest,” April 7 in Indianapolis. It was a significant comeback after not advancing past the quarterfinal round during last year’s contest, a loss he said that was “extremely influential.” It gave him confidence and encouragement to write a prepared oration that he was passionate about, that he believed in – “The Spread of Constitutional Apathy and How to Quarantine It.”