The public speaking contest is designed to help youth find their voice, build confidence, and learn how to share their ideas with clarity and purpose. Through this experience, participants strengthen communication skills that will serve them in leadership roles, school, and everyday life.

GUIDELINES: 

• Each submission must be from a Grange member in good standing and meeting the age requirements listed below. 
• Contestants may submit both an in-person AND video entry.

AGES:

• Youth- 14-20
• Young Adult- 21-25
• Alumni 26+

PREPARED SPEECH: 

• TOPIC: America at 250: Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future
• TIME: Minimum of 3 minute Maximum of 5 minutes
• PRESENTATION:  Presenters may use props, PowerPoint slides, displays, etc.
• OUTLINE: Presenter must submit 3 copies of their speech outline for the judges (Online video submissions must submit one outline digitally) 
• QUESTION: Each participant will be asked 1 question related to their speech and will be given 1 minute to answer the question asked by the judges. 

SUBMISSIONS: 

• In-Person:  A person wishing to compete in person at the National Grange convention must submit their interest to the National Grange Youth Director no later than November 1, 2026. It must be verified by their state youth director and/or State Grange president that the entrant is the state winner. 
• VIDEO:  Participants wishing to compete in the Video Prepared Speech category must submit their video to the National Grange by November 1, 2026. All submissions must be provided as a YouTube link; no other forms of submission will be accepted. The video must have clear, audible sound, and the speaker’s entire body must be visible in the frame for the duration of the speech.

Best of show winners will be selected in both the video and in-person entries.