A high school senior from Lafayette, Ind., capped a busy weekend of competition in Indianapolis by earning an $18,000 college scholarship and first place in The American Legion National High School Oratorical Scholarship Program - "A Constitutional Speech Contest." His winning oration was titled "A More Perfect Union."

Andrew Dykstal, who attends Aldersgate Academy in Lafayette, started the weekend as one of 53 state or territorial champions in the 72nd annual contest.  He advanced to the championship through three rounds of intense competition.

Caroline Heydinger, of Brattleboro, Vt., earned a $16,000 college scholarship with a second place finish, while Werner Ferrone, of Homosassa, Fla., earned a $14,000 scholarship and finished third. The scholarships account for a small portion of the roughly $3.5 million in post-secondary scholarships that The American Legion, the nation's largest veterans organization, awards annually.

In his speech, "A More Perfect Union," Dykstal spoke of how the Constitution only works with an active, vigilant citizenry. "Unless the people are actively involved in pursuing the welfare of the nation, our government is like a bicycle without a competent rider; unstable and inclined to wander."

Dykstal added, "Our nation's founders designed our government to meet a specific set of objectives. Whether or not this government succeeds is dependent upon our conduct as citizens." Dykstal concluded that the responsibilities of citizens complement those of government.

"Governments do what individuals cannot; individuals are expected to do what governments should not... The more personal responsibility we accept, the more personal virtue we exercise, the easier we make the task of governing."

In each round of the weekend competition, orators delivered a rehearsed 8- to 10-minute address and a randomly assigned 3- to 5-minute oration on a constitutional topic, each without the benefit of notes and in front of a live audience, including the judges. The 2.6-million member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution.