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  • Thursday, March 08, 2018

    Melissa Barnosky Is State Oratorical Champ

    ALBANY —Melissa Barnosky, a senior at Charles D’Amico High School in Albion, New York, is The American Legion New York State oratorical champion for 2018, Oratorical Chairman Anthony Paternostro announced.

    Melissa competed against four other finalists from a cross section of the state in the 81st Annual American Legion Department of New York Oratorical Contest.

    Melissa Barnosky and Rens Nessler

    State oratorical champ Melissa Barnosky with Department of New York Commander Rena Nessler. Photos by Frank Carletta.

    Melissa won a $6,000 scholarship and will represent New York in the National Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis, IN in April.

    She was sponsored by the Sheret Post 35, Orleans County, 8th District, and Zone 5. The “Constitutional Speech Contest” took place March 3 at Sand Creek Middle School in Colonie, New York.

    The other finalists are:

    — Jared Rios, a senior at St. Edmunds Preparatory High School, who won a $4,000 scholarship. Jared was sponsored by the Flatlands Post 391 of Kings County, 2nd District, and Zone 2.

    — Anusha Nambiar, a senior at John Jay High School, who was awarded a $2,500 scholarship. Anusha was sponsored by the Hopewell Junction Post 1758 of Dutchess County, 9th District, and Zone 1.

    Rounding out the awards are:

    — Savannah Carr, a senior at Unadilla Valley Central, who won a $2,000 scholarship. Savannah was sponsored by the Oneonta Post 259 of Otsego County, 6th District, and Zone 4.

    — Madelyn Brook Weiss, a sophomore at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, who was awarded a $2,000 scholarship. Anusha was sponsored by the Sharon Springs Post 1269 of Schoharie County, 3rd District, and Zone 3.

    Oratorical finalists

    STATE ORATORICAL FINALISTS (from left): Madelyn Brooke Weiss (Schoharie County, 3rd District); Jared Rios (Kings County, 2nd District); Savannah Carr (Otsego County, 6th District); Melissa Barnosky, Department of New York Oratorical Champion for 2018 (Orleans County, 8th District); Anusha Nambiar (Dutchess County, 9th District).