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• Friday, March 10, 2023

  Ian Chung Is 2023 State Oratorical Champ

  

  FROM LEFT: Thomas Fernandez, Mary Kennedy, Department Oratorical Chair Anthony Paternostro, Department Commander David R. Riley, Sr., Joshua Zampella, 2023 Department Oratorical Champion Ian Chung, London Beachy, and Sons of the American Legion Detachment Commandder Timothy Van Patten II.

  ALBANY — Ian Chung, a junior at Vestal Senior High School in Vestal, NY, is The American Legion New York State Oratorical Champion for 2023, Oratorical Chairman Anthony Paternostro announced.

  This year’s contest was conducted on March 4, 2023, at the Crown Plaza-Desmond Hotel in Albany.

  “Even with the threat of a snowstorm, those in attendance were witnessed to five magnificent orators,” Paternostro noted.

  Ian Chung, as this year’s Department Champion, wins a $6,000 scholarship. He competed against four other finalists from a cross section of the state in the 86th Annual American Legion Department of New York Oratorical Contest. He was sponsored by the American Legion North-East Post 1645, Broome County, 6th District, Zone 4.

  Other finalists were:

  • Mary Kennedy, Suffolk County, 10th District, Zone 2, and sponsored by the Greenlawn Post 1244 who won a $4,000 Scholarship;

  • London Beachy, Franklin County, 4th District, Zone 3, and sponsored by the Brushton-Moira Post 939, who won a $2,500 Scholarship;

  • Joshua Zampella, Monroe County, District 7th, Zone 5, and sponsored by the Eike-Jordan-Bauer Post 1501; and Thomas Fernandez, Rockland  County, District 9th, Zone 1, and sponsored by the William DeBevoise, Jr. Post 1682, both winning $2,000 scholarships.