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Delaney Jackson, of Jefferson City, won the American Legion Post 52 speech competition Saturday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Morristown.

Jackson is a junior at L&N STEM Academy in Knoxville. She competed last year where she had a strong showing, finishing runner-up to a Johnson City-area student who finished second in the 2022 national competition. Jackson will represent Post 52 in the First District competition to be held Saturday, Jan. 21 at American Legion Post 24 in Johnson City.

In advancing to the next round of competition, Jackson could win up to $30,000 in scholarship money should she win the national competition.

The purpose of the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program “Constitutional Speech Contest” is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States among high school students. Other contest objectives include development of leadership qualities, ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.

Scholarships are awarded by American Legion of Tennessee and in cooperation with the National American Legion organization. Winners may use their scholarship to attend any accredited college or university, junior colleges or vocational trade school within the country following graduation from high school, unless in service in the Armed Forces and granted an extension of eligibility.