Article written by Ann Tornberg
A Beresford High School 2025 Graduate spent the week after her graduation on May 10 traveling to Hillsdale, Michigan, to represent South Dakota at the National American Legion Oratorical Contest held May 16-18, 2025. There were 50 state winners at the contest. Laney advanced from the quarter finals and semi-finals to the finals, where she received a $20,000 Scholarship in addition to the $2,000 awarded to each of the national contest participants and the $1,500 from the South Dakota American Legion. This is the third year Laney has won the South Dakota contest and advanced to Nationals. In total, she has won $32,500 in American Legion Oratorical Contest Scholarships.
According to the National Legion Website, the American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.
Laney will attend SDSU in the fall, where she will also serve as a State FFA Officer during the 2025-2026 school year. 2025 Beresford Graduate Laney Andrews shown on May 18, 2025, in Hillsdale, Michigan with her third-place award at the National American Legion Oratorical Contest. 50 American Legion Department (State) winners competed in the contest. Laney received a $22,000 Scholarship for finishing third in the national contest.
