Instructions for participants
The 2009 topic is: A person who has touched many lives
Modern Woodmen of America's tagline reads "Touching Lives. Securing Futures." This year Modern Woodmen asks each student speaker to help uncover and tell the story of an individual who embodies the spirit of our tagline.
In this year's School Speech Contest, each participating student should select one person and share how that individual has touched lives. The subject of the speech may be a famous person or someone personally familiar to the student, and the subject can be living or dead.
Students may want to consider writing the speech in a way that the audience and judges will know:
- Who the person is/was.
- Suggestion: Use words to paint a picture of the subject's life.
- How the individual touched lives.
- Suggestion: Do research to provide real scenarios.
- How the speaker's life was impacted by the subject.
- Suggestion: Speak from the heart.
Speeches must be at least three minutes and no longer than five minutes. Speeches should be in the students' own words.
Judging criteria
Contestants will be judged using the following 100-point system
40 points for material organization
This accounts for theme and subject adherence, structure, content, logic and color.
40 points for delivery and presentation
This includes voice, pronunciation, enunciation, gestures and poise.
20 points for overall effectiveness
This scores impression and effect.
Contest dates
This contest can be held anytime from January through May, on a date chosen by the principal or teachers of the participating school.
Materials provided
- Informational brochure for students
- Certificates for all participants
- Gold-plated pins and trophies for top contestants
- Plaque for schools and winners at each school
- Appreciation gifts for judges, timer and contact person
- Packet of information for contact person
Rules summary
- A minimum of 12 students must participate.
- The contest must be held between Jan. 1 and May 31.
- A request form for supplies must be completed and returned to Modern Woodmen each year.
- Speech content must be each student’s own thoughts and words on the topic, “A person who has touched many lives.”
- No costumes, visuals or props may be used at the contest. If used, 50 points will be deducted.
- At the school’s discretion, speeches may be memorized or notes may be used, but students must be notified of the decision two weeks before the contest.
- Each speech must be three to five minutes long. Penalty points will be assessed for speeches over or under the time limit.
Complete rules are sent with the contact person’s packet.
How to request
Use our Find a Representative feature or call our Service Center at (800) 447-9811. If you have used the School Speech Contest before, you can request it online.