Contestant Qualifications


for the


American Enterprise Speech Contest

  1. Participants must be enrolled in a school within the area that the sponsoring Chapter serves.

  2. Contestants must be high school students in grades 9 through 12 and may participate in only once chapter level American Enterprise Speech contest per year.

  3. Each contestant must prepare his or her own speech. Advice and coaching is allowed and changes may be made to the speech at any time prior to the contest. The contestant has the right to substitue a different speech at any level of competition. Any substitutions or changes made to the speech must be included in the official copy of the speech submitted to the Speech Contest Director before the due date established for that level of competition. The speech is to relate to the economic system of America, commonly referred to as the "American Enterprise System." Speeches at all levels shall have the American free enterprise system as its main theme to be considered eligible for competition. Non-economic issues such as social, medical, environmental, political, etc. should not be primary subjects unless integrated into an economic impact or focused on business/entrepreneurial issues or approaches.

  4. Contestants must submit one (1) copy of their speech in its final form to the Contest Director prior to participating in the contest. Each speech must be accompanied by an Official Title Page and Official Student Entry Blank. Bringing a copy of the speech to the contest is OK.

  5. Chapter Speech Contest Director will verify that the content of the speech relates to the American free enterprise system. Speeches not relating to the American free enterprise system will be returned to the contestant and will be ruled ineligible for competition. Contestant has the opportunity to resubmit another speech. Written copies of all competing speeches will be held by the sponsoring Chapter for one year.

  6. A copy of the winning 1st place Chapter Speech will be submitted to the Council Speech Director who will reverify that the content of the speech relates to the American free enterprise system. Speeches not relating to the American free enterprise system will be returned to the contestant and will be ruled ineligible for competition. Contestant has the opportunity to resubmit another speech. Written copies of all competing speeches will be held by the sponsoring Chapter for one year.

  7. Copy of 1st place Council/Chapter Speech and CMC Registration Form for Speech Contest contestants will be submitted to the Area Chairman as soon as possible after the winner is determined. The Area Chairman has the authority to determine the eligibility of the contents of the speech. NMA National will keep a copy of all competing speeches for one year.

  8. Written copies of speeches arriving after the due date established by the Speech Contest Directors, at all levels, may be ruled ineligible for competition.

  9. Contestants may not identify themselves or their schools in the context of their speech.

  10. Notes are allowed, but the speech may not be read verbatim.

  11. No audio/visual aids may be used with the presentation.

  12. Contestants' speeches must be limited to no more than six (6) minutes or less than four (4) minutes.

  13. Contestants may use quotations and/or copyrighted materials, but must identify the original author. The use of such material is the responsibility of the contestant.

  14. NMA shall have the right to edit, publish and/or record any speech used in the contest at any level.

  15. Any contestant who places First at the National level is ineligible to compete in future NMA American Enterprise Speech Contests. All other contestants may compete in the following years, if they meet all qualifications.

For More information, contact Kent Bierley at (937) 257-4694, or Email the chapter.


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This page updated on 3/04/04.