However, the contest is especially focused to grades five to eight. Only kids in grades five to eight can advance to the higher levels, which include advanced county, state and national contests. Each school year there is a new topic. The kids get three to five minutes to discuss that topic. Topics usually come to us as suggestions by teachers who use the program.
Finalists receive pins.
The top three finishers earn trophies. The school receives a trophy for its trophy case. Modern Woodmen also provides judging sheets, pencils and thank-you gifts for the judges. Civic Oration Contest can advance to the higher levels. The national contest takes place within the Home Office in Rock Island, Ill., via videotape.