Pictured above from left to right: Kylie Evans (left), Luciana Coon (center), and Katie Burke of Westfall, who all placed at the SAR oration contest.
Article written by Lindzay Mason, Reporter
Published in Circleville Herald on March 11, 2026
PICKAWAY COUNTY — On Tuesday, February 24, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Camp Charlotte Chapter held their monthly meeting. This meeting doubled as their Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest.
One of the SAR members explained, “The contest we had earlier was an essay contest. An essay is really not as much memory, you can read a direct record in your sheet. Oration, at our level we allow note cards, but as they go to the state level, it’s all from memory. SAR sponsors an essay, and SAR sponsors an oration.”
The speeches were a max of six minutes long. As noted, note cards could be used, but points would be deducted for their use. There were three judges in the audience who would score the speeches to determine a winner.
According to the SAR website, sar.org, “The subject of the oration shall deal with an event, a personality, or a document about the Revolutionary War with a mention of our nation’s 250th-anniversary celebration. Each oration must explain its relevance to America today. Evidence of historical research and creative presentation is also important. The oration will be judged based on its composition, delivery, significance, historical accuracy, and pertinence to our 250th anniversary.”
Heather Hook, a Speech and English teacher at Westfall High School, took the time to coach students in this competition. This also isn’t the first year that students of Hook’s have participated — she encourages them year after year to compete in the oration contest.
One of her students is Katie Burke, a sophomore at Westfall High School. She plans to attend Ohio University in Athens to study elementary education. She is a varsity cheerleader for both football and basketball. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and cat. Her speech was about Thomas Payne, and she placed third.
Another participant was Kylie Evans, a sophomore. She plays varsity track, cross-country, and soccer. Her plans are to attend the University of Kentucky and eventually become a physical therapist. She is active within her church and its youth group. Her speech was about Sybil Ludington, and she placed second.
Luciana Coon also gave a speech. She is currently a freshman, but takes College Credit Plus (CCP) classes through Ohio University Chillicothe. She is involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA), student council, Business Professionals of America (BPA), and school and club volleyball. She plans to attend the Ohio State University and apply to medical school; she hopes to become a pediatric surgeon. She enjoys spending her weekends at her family’s farm in Hocking Hills. Her speech was about Abigail Adams, and she placed first.
At the next SAR meeting on March 24, the girls will receive certificates and a monetary check. Luciana is also being advanced to the state competition in April.