Chrysostom
Oratory
Competition

For ACCS Members

Are you an ACCS student?

Talk to a teacher or administrator about entering. Many students enter their junior or senior thesis. Each school can enter one male and one female competitor.

Interested in learning more?

Keep reading for contest overview and to see past winners.

The ACCS National Oratory Competition

High school students from ACCS member schools will compete with their peers from other ACCS schools for a $500 grand prize. Each member school may enter one male and one female student. (Previously, only one entry per school was allowed.) Student(s) must be a junior or senior.

    • Enter: Ask your ACCS school for entry forms. Schools can access entry forms and details on the MRC (Member Resource Center).
    • Deadline: May 3, 2024
    • Grand Prize: $500. The first-prize winning student will present their speech at the annual ACCS Repairing the Ruins Conference. The student will receive an all-expense-paid trip for the winner, one parent, and one friend to the conference. Additional prizes may be awarded depending on conference location and venue.
    • Second Prize: $500
    • Timeframe: The award is presented at end of the school year.

Chrysostom Oratory Contest Winners

2023 First Prize: Jillian Barr
“More than a Catchy Tune: What We’re Missing in Modern Music”
Wilson Hill Academy
Austin, TX
Delivered June 23, 2023 at Repairing the Ruins in Pittsburgh, PA
2022 First Prize: Mary Blake Fletcher
“Persuasive Technology: the Cigarette of the 21st Century”
Westminster Academy
Memphis, TN
Delivered June 24, 2022 at Repairing the Ruins in Frisco, TX
2021 First Prize: Hannah Kim
“Fact Became Myth: The Mythology of Modern Science”
Veritas Classical Academy
Fullerton, CA
Delivered June 17, 2021 at Repairing the Ruins in Frisco, TX
2020 First Prize: Benjamin Ault
Rockbridge Academy
Crownsville, MD
2019 First Prize: Charity Kim (Repairing the Ruins Presentation)
Veritas Classical Academy
Fullerton, CA
2018 First Prize: Abraham Martin (Repairing the Ruins Presentation)
School of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
2018 Second Prize: McKinley Traylor (Repairing the Ruins Presentation)
Trinitas Christian School
Pensacola, FL
 2017 Chrysostom First Prize K Turley 2017 First Prize: Kana Turley
Tall Oaks Classical School
Bear, DE
  2017 Second Prize: Abby Wallen
Rockbridge Academy
Millersville, MD
4762hannah_thompson 2016 First Prize: Hannah Thompson (Repairing the Ruins Presentation)
Evangel Classical Christian School
Alabaster, AL
4763katherinecvancara 2016 Second Prize: Katherine Cvancara (Repairing the Ruins Presentation)
The Oaks: A Classical Christian Academy
Spokane, WA
4463rachelcooley 2015 First Prize: Rachel Cooley
Rockbridge Academy
Millersville, MD
4464colbygilley 2015 Second Prize: Colby Gilley
Trinitas Christian School
Pensacola, FL
4136alexacripe 2014 Champion: Alexa Cripe (Repairing the Ruins Presentation)
Rockbridge Academy
Millersville, MD
4135khristiantrotter 2014 Runner-Up: Khristian Trotter (Repairing the Ruins Presentation)
Trinitas Christian School
Pensacola, FL
3364sarahchaffee 2013 Champion: Sarah Chaffee (Repairing the Ruins Presentation)
Tall Oaks Classical School
New Castle, DE
3365stephenfletcher 2013 Runner-Up: Stephen Fletcher (Repairing the Ruins Presentation)
Trinitas Christian School
Pensacola, FL
2749phoebehu 2012 Champion: Phoebe Hu
Tall Oaks Classical School
New Castle, DE
2744danieldawson 2012 Runner-Up: Daniel Dawson
Rockbridge Academy
Millersville, MD
2747kellyweber 2011 Champion: Kelly Weber
Tall Oaks Classical School
New Castle, DE
2745henryoveros 2011 Runner-Up: Henry Overos
Ad Fontes Academy
Centreville, VA
2742annakitchin 2010 Champion: Anna Kitchin
Rockbridge Academy
Millersville, MD
2748kristawilford 2010 Runner-Up: Krista Wilford
The Ambrose School
Meridian, ID
2741annahollidge 2009 Champion: Anna Hollidge
Rockbridge Academy
Millersville, MD