Alex Henlin, 18, a resident of Dracut, Ma. and a senior at Bishop Guertin High School bested a field of 54 state champions to win the American Legion's National Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis. Henlin's victory marks the first time an New Hampshire representative has won the national oratorical title. He takes home an $18,000.00 scholarship. His constitutional themed 10 minute speech was titled "A More Perfect Union".
Alex, who was sponsored by the James E. Coffey Post 3, competed last year as well, won the state title and was regional runner-up at the national contest. He was also a NH state representative at the 1996 American Legion's Boys Nation conference in Washington, DC. Alex plans to study political science and law in college at either Georgetown or Villanova Universities.
