Hutchinson places 2nd in divisional American Legion Oratorical Contest

ROCKINGHAM — Two Richmond County students recently competed in the district round of the American Legion Oratorical Contest, with one leaving as the winner and runner-up at the division level.

Alex Hutchinson, of Rockingham, won the District 16 event held Feb. 8 at the old courthouse in Carthage.

Hutchinson, who is homeschooled, represented American Legion Post 147 in Rockingham and Ianna Graham, a senior at Richmond Senior High School, represented Post 73 in Ellerbe.

Other district competitors were from Vass, Southern Pines and Pinehurst.

Ianna Graham, center, represented American Legion Post 73 in the district oratorical contest last month. She is pictured with retired Air Force Lt. Col. Maxine Millis, parliamentarian (left), and retired Army Capt. Joanne Blyther, commander, of Post 73 following the post contest at Fletcher Chapel Church in Hoffman.

Contributed photo

Hutchinson, son of John and Sharon Hutchinson, went on to place second in the Division IV contest in Huntersville. He could advance should the winner not be able to compete at the state level.

The contest is open to students in ninth-12th grade. Post 73 Commander Joann Blyther chairs the Oratorical Contest and Education Committee for the American Legion Department of North Carolina.

The topics for this year’s contest were: 

• The Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures without a warrant;
• Article III Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which outlines treason against the nation
• Article IV Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees every state a republican form of government; and
• Article VI Clause 3, which declares legislators shall be bound by oath to support the constitution and that no religious test shall be required for any office.

Richmond County's Zane Searcy won both the district- and division-level contests and placed third at the state competition in both 2023 and 2024.

In January, Post 73 delivered Nothing Bundt Cakes to the staff of the county’s three senior centers as “appreciation for the outstanding services” they provide to veterans and seniors during the year.

The post also delivered school supplies to Mineral Springs Elementary earlier in the year.