Shelton orator heading to state

Shelton High School senior Katherine Peck said her friends and relatives call her a "poli-sci nerd," and that knowledge and her presentation skills are propelling her to a statewide contest.

Peck is the winner of the American Legion Post 31's annual Constitutional Speech Contest conducted Jan. 8 at the American Legion Veterans Hall in downtown Shelton. She will represent the post at the state contest March 11-12 in Ephrata, with the opportunity to win scholarship money and the chance to advance to the national contest in Indianapolis. The national winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship.

Peck was the lone contestant in Shelton, and she impressed the judges.

"I thought she did well," said Bob Stone, chaplain of the American Legion post. "She seems like a very smart, intelligent young lady. She has a lot more guts than I had at that age, standing there and giving a speech."

Peck makes presentations as part of the high school's DECA team, and recently placed first in a DECA contest giving a presentation on hotel and lodging management. She is also active at her church, Shelton Presbyterian.

"I public speak every day, but it was daunting, because they are older, and I respect them," she said.

According to the American Legion's website, the contest "exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation's laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship."

High school students under the age of 20 are eligible. The students must write about some aspect of the Constitution, and then recite it by memory. It must be eight to 10 minutes long. The students then must speak for three to five minutes about a constitutional issue drawn from a hat.

Peck chose to write about the amendments to the Constitution. She is taking an advanced placement class in government and politics, and drew some of her information from that.

"The Constitution is our foundation of democracy," she wrote. "It protects citizens from the very things its authors were worried about. It does not uphold tyranny, but rather it maintains a righteous and fair government. It establishes our rights as Americans and provides the legal foundation for the protection and maintenance of those rights, from freedom of speech to the right to drink through the ratification of the 21st Amendment.

"I am not saying our Constitution is perfect, as it was written by human beings who are inherently imperfect. In fact, there was a lot to be ashamed of when the Constitution was written; it didn't abolish slavery, women did not have the right to vote, and person's right to freedom of speech, press and religion was not explicitly stated. In order to add these essential rights, amendments had to be proposed and ratified."

Peck's speech concludes with "As a young 'poli-sci nerd' standing before you today arguing for the ratification of amendments to improve our Constitution, there is only one thing I can think of. I want to see a better America in my lifetime. A better America to me would be an expansion of America for all. An America that does not uphold tyranny but instead supports its citizens regardless of race, income level and gender."

Peck said she learned about the contest at the career center at Shelton High School. Along with her membership in the DECA Club, Peck is the school's Associated Student Body secretary and a member of the drama club. She is one of the assistant stage managers for the romantic comedy "Almost, Maine," which will be staged Feb. 11 and 12 at the school's Performing Arts Center.

Peck said she hopes to attend George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and major in political communication.

"I like to write, research, so I'm really into journalism," she said.