All contestants must be bona fide students herein described as any student under the age of twenty (20) years on the date of the National Contest who is presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or state accredited home school) in which the curriculum of said high school is considered to be of high school level, commencing with grade nine (9) and terminating with grade twelve (12). Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest.

Contestants must either be legally domiciled within or attend an educational institution within the Department (State of Texas) that they enter competition. Contestants can enter competition through only one Department.

Contestants competing in the Lumberton Texas phase must meet the above eligibility requirements, and be enrolled at Lumberton High School, or live within the LISD boundaries if a Home School or private school student.