Andrea Hilario does it again

WEST MILFORD — Andrea Hilario is a repeat winner of the local and county levels of the American Legion Oratorical Contest.

Andrea is a senior at West Milford High School. For winning the local contest, she was rewarded with a certificate and medal.

The main purpose of this constitutional speech contest, according to the American Legion website, is to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Constitution of the United States. Local winners from throughout New Jersey move on to the county level, then to the state level. The state level winner receives a $4,000 scholarship. There are other scholarship for those placing second through fifth.

The contest culminates in a national final in Indianapolis in April, bringing students from across the country to compete for the title and an $18,000 scholarship for the first place winner. More than $138,000 in scholarships will be awarded to contestants this year by the American Legion. High school students under age 20 are eligible. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers. Participants’ speeches must be between eight and 10 minutes long.

In addition to the prepared speech, contestants must speak on the spot on a random topic.