Powell High School sophomore Emma Johnson won the American Legion State Oratorical competition in Cheyenne on Sunday.

Johnson had previously won the local competition hosted by Hughes-Pittinger Post 26 in December and the District 4 competition in Worland in February. Her victory marked the third year in a row that a Powell student has won the state competition; Jay Swaney of Powell won in both 2020 and 2021.

Now that Johnson has won state, she will attend the national competition April 22-24 in Indianapolis. Each state champion who participates in the first round of nationals will receive a $2,000 scholarship; the grand prize winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship that can be used at any school for up to eight years.

Johnson has currently won $700 to $800 in scholarships. 

Johnson, who’s also a member of the speech and debate team at PHS, notes that the oratory event in high school differs from the American Legion’s oratorical competition.

“At the high school level, for a standardized speech and debate tournament, you have to recite a seven to 10 minute speech,” Johnson said. “For the [American Legion] oratorical competition you have to recite an eight to 10 minute speech on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution.”

Competitors must also give a three- to five-minute speech on a Constitutional amendment chosen at the event.

Johnson first heard about the competition last year from her speech and debate coach Nicole Maier-Reitz, but said the prospect of competing was “a little nerve racking as a freshman.” 

According to Johnson, it can be stressful to wait for the legion competition to end. You are not able to watch your competitors and must wait in a room after you finish your recitation.

Johnson expressed gratitude for everyone who has helped her be so successful in this string of competitions.

“I’d also like to stress how grateful I am for the post [Hughes-Pittinger Post 26] and everyone who has helped me get here,” Johnson said. “[I am grateful] to my parents and my sister who have had to listen to me recite my speeches however many times. Just a huge thank you to everyone who has helped me get here.”

At nationals, Johnson thinks she has an opportunity for a strong finish.

“I think I have a pretty good chance of at least making it to the semi-finals,” she said.