SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest
Offered by National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) · Free to apply
The Sons of the American Revolution's Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest is a speech competition for students in grades 9 through 12 at public, private, parochial or home schools. Each student writes and delivers from memory an original oration of five to six minutes, with no notes or props, about an event, person or document of the Revolutionary War, and the current rules also ask for a mention of the nation's 250th anniversary. Speeches are judged on composition, delivery, significance and historical research, and they must show how the subject relates to America today. Competition starts at a local SAR chapter, then moves to the state society and the national finals. National first place wins $8,000, second $5,000 and third $3,000, the three other finalists receive $500, and every other national contestant receives $200. State winners are due at national headquarters by May 15, and chapter deadlines usually fall two to four months earlier.
Other deadlines near this one
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- Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children ScholarshipDue May 15, 2027 · 77% of tuition and general fees at Ohio public colleges or $6,330 at private colleges (2025-26 levels)
How hard is the SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest to win?
A large applicant pool chases this award. Apply if the student is a genuinely strong fit, but build the plan around better-odds awards first. No published applicant or winner counts exist for this award, so Solyo shows no odds figure.
- Odds
- no published selection data
- Paperwork
- ~20 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- More rivalsOpen nationwide, so the field is large
- Fewer rivalsAn essay is required, which filters out casual applicants
- Fewer rivalsRestricted to specific intended majors
How Solyo estimates this: We model the applicant field from how narrow the eligibility rules are, then divide the awards available by that field. Requirements such as essays and recommendation letters improve a serious applicant’s odds, because most browsers never complete them. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Open to high school freshmen, high school sophomores, high school juniors, and high school seniors
- Planning to study the Humanities
- Must enter through a local SAR chapter and win at chapter and state level to reach nationals
- Oration of 5 to 6 minutes delivered from memory with no notes or props
Personalized matching
Does your student actually qualify?
Not sure your student clears every rule above? Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
What the application takes
- Essay required.
Deadline and application cycle
The next projected deadline is May 15, 2027 (estimated). The last verified deadline has passed; the next cycle is projected from this award's usual May 15 deadline. Confirm the exact date on the official site. Contact a local SAR chapter in the fall; chapter deadlines are often in winter.
- Chapter deadlines (vary)
- May 15, 2027 (estimated)
- State winners due at national
- May 15, 2027
Free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge a fee. We use your student's information only to build their plan.
Common questions about the SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest
How much is the SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest worth?
The SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest awards $200 to $8,000 (national level).
When is the SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest deadline?
The next projected deadline is May 15, 2027 (estimated). The last verified deadline has passed; the next cycle is projected from this award's usual May 15 deadline. Confirm the exact date on the official site. Contact a local SAR chapter in the fall; chapter deadlines are often in winter.
Who is eligible for the SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest?
Key requirements: Open to high school freshmen, high school sophomores, high school juniors, and high school seniors; Planning to study the Humanities.
Does the SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest require an essay?
Yes. The application requires an essay. Expect to spend about 20 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest?
A large applicant pool chases this award. Apply if the student is a genuinely strong fit, but build the plan around better-odds awards first. No published applicant or winner counts exist for this award, so Solyo shows no odds figure. What is known: an essay is required, which filters out casual applicants and restricted to specific intended majors. Plan on about 20 hrs of work.
Is the SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest free to apply?
Yes. The SAR Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
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Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.