HR254INTRODUCED Page 0 HR254 SL2BT58-1 By Representatives Woods, Paschal RFD: First Read: 15-Apr-25 1 2 3 4 5 SL2BT58-1 04/10/2025 lg (L)lg 2025-1622 Page 1 First Read: 15-Apr-25 HR____ HONORING MISS PRESTLEY SKELTON FOR WINNING THE 2025 AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA ORATORICAL COMPETITION. WHEREAS, we proudly congratulate Miss Prestley Skelton for winning the 2025 American Legion Department of Alabama Oratorical Contest, held in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 22, 2025; and WHEREAS, Miss Skelton is an 11th-grade student at Jasper High School, where her speech curriculum, guidance from her teachers, and family support have played a key role in her success; and WHEREAS, the American Legion Oratorical Contest aims to enhance students' knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, offering scholarships that can be applied at colleges nationwide; the competition starts at the post level, advancing through district, division, and state levels, ultimately culminating in a national competition; and WHEREAS, contestants deliver an 8-10 minute prepared oration on an aspect of the Constitution, followed by an assigned topic; the oration emphasizes the duties and obligations of citizens to our government, and the assigned topic must be presented in a 3-5 minute oration; and WHEREAS, Miss Skelton triumphed at the local Post 23 contest in Graysville, Alabama; the 21st District contest in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 HR254 INTRODUCED Page 2 contest in Graysville, Alabama; the 21st District contest in Hoover; the 2nd Division contest in Hoover; and at the American Legion Department of Alabama state finals in Montgomery; her prepared oration entitled "Defending the Constitution to Keep Our Freedoms" and her assigned topic on "Amendment XIV, Section 1" earned her a $2,500 scholarship for her first-place finish; and WHEREAS, Miss Skelton will represent the American Legion Department of Alabama at the 2025 National High School Oratorical Contest Finals at Hillsdale College in Michigan on May 17-18, joining 55 students worldwide for a chance to win a $25,000 scholarship; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That we extend our highest commendations to Miss Prestley Skelton for her victory in the 2025 American Legion Department of Alabama Oratorical Contest and wish her continued success in all future endeavors. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45