The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest invites all students attending 9th through 12th grades in public, parochial or private schools; or home-school students studying at the same grade levels. The preliminary rounds of the contest begin at the local chapter level; students have the opportunity to advance to the state or national levels where scholarships and cash prizes are awarded. Participants must write an original oration of not less than five minutes, or more than six minutes. The subject of the oration shall deal with an event, a personality, or a document pertaining to the Revolutionary War with a mention of our nation's 250th anniversary celebration. It is essential that each oration show the relationship it bears to America today. Evidence of historical research and creative presentation are also important. The oration will be judged based upon its composition, delivery, significance, historical accuracy and relevance to our 250th anniversary. The contest video must be of continuous feed. Absolutely no editing is permitted. It should be recorded in a horizontal frame on an iPhone or Android Phone. By recording it in this manner, the judges will be able to evaluate the contestant's stage presence. We also suggest that you find a venue with a stage and an American 50 star flag on the left and a SAR flag on the right. No state flags or other signage should be present. It is important not to identify the location where the video was recorded. Please keep the background simple, so it doesn't distract from the contestant. Please make sure to test that the sound is clear and audible before you start recording. Please visit the award's website for more information.