Esten Johnsen Finishes in Third Place at State American Legion Oratorical Contest in Kearney-2024
Launch the media gallery 1 playerSeward High Junior, Esten Johnsen finished in Third Place at State American Legion Oratorical Contest in Kearney on Saturday, January 20th 2024 at the Kearney Convention Center. The contest was held in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of the American Legion’s Conference held in Kearney. There were four State Finalists- and each was required to present a ten minute speech on some aspect of the US Constitution and then draw one of four US Constitution Amendments and speak to that Amendment for three to five minutes. Esten is the son of Steven and Angela Johnsen of Seward.
The topic of Esten’s ten minute memorized speech on the US Constitution was “We the People” and he drew the 23rd Amendment which extends the right to vote in the presidential election to the citizens residing in the District of Columbia by granting the District electors in the Electoral College, as if it were a state. He was required to speak on that topic for three to five minutes in an extemporaneous format.
The winner of the contest was Joshua Mammen of Omaha Creighton Prep HS, First Runner up was Katie Summers from Valentine, Esten Johnsen of Seward High was third and Reagan Choat of Osmond was Fourth. Esten won a $500 cash scholarship check from the American Legion for Third Place and a certificate and a state trophy. He and his family also were given a free night’s lodging at the convention hotel.
He was representing his American Legion District 12 and Region 3 in the State competition. He is sponsored by the Seward American Legion Post 33-with Joe Ruzicka serving as the Seward American Legion Commander.
Photo: L-R State Winners in the American Legion Oratorical Contest included Joshua Mammen of Omaha Creighton Prep HS, First Runner up was Katie Summers from Valentine, Esten Johnsen of Seward High was third and Reagan Choat of Osmond was Fourth.