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• Monday, March 04, 2024

  Nia Gooden Is the NYS American Legion Oratorical Champion

  

  ALBANY — Nia Gooden, a junior at New Rochelle High School in Westchester, New York, is The American Legion New York State Oratorical Champion for 2024, Oratorical Chairman Anthony Paternostro announced. Department Commander Timothy Collmer presented her with the first-place plaque.

  This year’s contest was conducted on March 2 at the Crown Plaza-Desmond Hotel, Albany.

  Nia received a Department of New York Scholarship Award of $6,000 and competes in the National Finals on May 17-19, 2024, at Hillsdale College in Michigan.  She competed against four other finalists from a cross section of the state in the 87th Annual American Legion Department of New York Oratorical Contest. She was sponsored by the Yorktown Heights American Legion Post 1009, Westchester County, 9th District, Zone 1.

  Other contestants were:

  • Maureen Kennedy, who won a $4,000 scholarship as the second place finisher. She was sponsored by the Greenlawn Post 1244 of Suffolk County, 10th District, Zone 2

  • Orianna Cotten, who finished third and won a $2,500 scholarship. She was sponsored by Brushton-Moira Post 939 of Franklin County, 4th District, Zone 3;

  • Grant Gillman and Hannah Brundage, who each won $2,000 scholarships. Grant was sponsored by the Carthage Post 789 of Jefferson County, 5th District, Zone 4. Hannah was sponsored by the Jewell Buckman Post 529 of Orleans  County, 8th District, Zone 5.

  

  (From left) 2024 Department Champion Nia Gooden, Maureen Kennedy, Orianna Cotton, Department Commander Timothy Collmer, Hannah Brundage, and Grant Gillman.

  Photos by Frank Carletta.