The General Francis Nash Chapter held its annual Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Orations Contest and celebrated the 250^th Anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, on March 22 at Governors Club in Chapel Hill.

Seven young Orators impressed an appreciative audience of their families, SAR and DAR members, and local residents, with their perspectives of the Patriots and events that created our nation, and their continuing effects today.  The Chapter featured the upcoming 250^th event, and distributed a handout about Lexington and Concord, and the messengers dispatched to warn “the British are coming!”

NC SAR Rumbaugh Chairman Lowell Hoffman was again the Master of Ceremonies, and provided historical vignettes between the Orations as Judges recorded their observations.

The order of Orations was randomly determined, and the competition proceeded, with a break at the one-hour mark.

After the final Oration, and a resounding round of applause, the Judges adjourned to determine award winners, Orators introduced themselves and their families, and Lowell was joined by Teachers Riley Shaner from Seaforth High School and Jill Thomas from Northwood High School.  Ms. Shaner is a former NC SAR Rumbaugh winner, National Second Place, and Ms. Thomas’ student.

After enjoying lunch, a brief General Francis Nash Chapter meeting was conducted, where Ralph Nelson, the Chapter’s most decorated member, was presented the Silver Liberty Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, awarded by the National Society at the last Annual Congress, signifying his assistance in the applications of one hundred and ten new SAR members. President Al Segars also presented Guy Guidry the Chapter Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions as Rumbaugh and R.O.T.C. Chairman.

GFN Rumbaugh Chairman Guy Guidry then announced the Judges’ decision — Third Place, Aiden Danna, “Battle of Saratoga”; Second Place, Aria Browndyke, “The Intolerable Acts: A Pivotal Moment in American History”; and First Place, Jonathan Paul, “American Heroes”.

Additional photos of these fine Orators are at https://ncssar.org/2025-general-francis-nash-oratory-contest-gallery/