Article by Ann Tornberg
Beresford Senior, Laney Andrews won the District 7 American Legion Oratorical Contest held on Jan. 12, 2025 in Humbolt, SD. Laney now advances to the State Final to be held on Feb. 16, 2025 at the Arrowood Resort and Conference Center in Chamberlain, SD in conjunction with the 2025 SD American Legion Mid-Winter Conference.
This is the third year Laney has won District 7 and has earned a total of $9,600 in scholarships throughout her three years of participation. District 7 includes any students in the contest from Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, Moody, or Union Counties.
Back row, left to right: Dan Wyatt, District 7 Americanism Officer; Andy Lygen, District 7 Commander; Chuck Dubbe, District 7 Oratory Coordinator, and Fred Lee, State American Legion Historian. Front row, left to right: Laney Andrews, Senior at Beresford HS; Eliza Potter, Senior at Garretson HS; and Kinley Scotts, Freshman at West Central High School.