Shreyas Parab ’18 Named Delaware’s Top Teen Orator

Shreyas Parab, junior at Archmere Academy, was awarded first place in last Thursday’s Delaware State Oratorical Competition hosted by the Delaware American Legion. Shreyas learned about the opportunity through the Archmere Academy History Department. The competition tasks high school students from across the country to research the Constitution, understand the complexities of Constitutional Law, and develop a speech regarding their research and conclusions. In addition to winning first place and qualifying for nationals, Shreyas has won $3,000 in college scholarship and in April will represent the state of Delaware at nationals in Indianapolis, where the grand prize scholarship is $18,000. Shreyas will compete against the country’s top 50 teen orators.
 
Shreyas, a son of two immigrants, wrote a speech entitled, “Defining Democracy,” in which he dove into the intricacies of the freedom of speech and of press, emphasized their pertinence in daily life, and outlined several court cases in which the 1st amendment was used. Shreyas says, “The Constitution was written 227 years ago, but it remains just as relevant and essential to upholding our democratic values today as it was on day one. My parents came to this country to find opportunity and achieve their American dream and it is because of the Constitution that they and every other American can do so.” Although he frankly admits, “Yes, spending my weekends and hours upon hours of free time studying the Constitution and reading centuries-old court cases may not seem exciting, but the lessons and insights I gained into my country could not be more impactful.”
 
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the US Constitution among high school students since 1938. The contest presents 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. More information can be found at: https://www.legion.org/oratorical/about.
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Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.