The Americanlegion

the world's largest veterans organization

Renew Join now

Latest News

  • Monday, March 23, 2026

    Heyan Chung Is 2026 State Oratorical Champ

    Oratorical finalists

    (From left) National Vice Commander Ron LaRose, Angie Lennox (Franklin County, District 4), Katherine Mazaroski (Nassau County, District 10, Sheldon Joseph (Westchester County, District 1), Lucas Christopher (Monroe County, District 7), 2026 Department of New York Champion Heyan chung (Broome County, District 6) and Department Commander John R. Miga.

    ALBANY — Heyan Chung, a junior at Vestal Senior High School in Broome, New York, is The American Legion New York State Oratorical Champion for 2026, Oratorical Chairman Anthony Paternostro announced.

    This year’s contest was conducted on March 7, 2026, at the Crown Plaza-Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York.

    Oratorical winner

    Oratorical champion Heyan chung with National Vice Commander Ron LaRose (left) and Department Commander John R. Miga.

    As Department champion, Heyan Chung and wins a $6,000 Scholarship. He competed against four other finalists from a cross section of the state in the 89th Annual American Legion Department of New York Oratorical Contest. He was sponsored by the Binghamton American Legion Post 1645, Broome County, 6th District, and Zone 4.

    Other contestants were:

    • Lucas Christopher, Monroe County, 7th District, Zone 5, and sponsored by the Cottreall-Warner American Legion Post 942 who won a $4,000 Scholarship.

    • Sheldon Joseph, Westchester County, 9th District, Zone 1, and sponsored by the Yorktown American Legion Post 1009 who won a $2,500 Scholarship.

    • Katherine Mazaroski, Nassau County, 10th District, Zone 2, sponsored by the Carle Place American Legion Post 1718, and Angie Lennox, Franklin County, 4th District, Zone 3, sponsored by the Brushton-Moira American Legion Post 939, who both won a $2,000 Scholarship each.