Youth champions to be honored in New Orleans
Champions of American Legion youth programs in 2024, along with the 2023 Legion Baseball All-Academic Team captain, will be honored during the 105th National Convention in New Orleans, Aug. 23-29. The youth champions will speak before the Americanism Commission, on the national convention stage and at the Sons of The American Legion National Convention. They too will enjoy planned activities around the city that includes a visit to the National World War II Museum.
Meet the youth champion delegation:
Emme Walrath – American Legion Junior 3-Postion Air Rifle Precision Champion. Walrath of Kenosha, Wis., won the precision title during the Legion’s air rifle championship in Hillsdale, Mich., July 20. She will be an incoming freshman on the NCAA Division 1 Rifle Team at Georgia Southern University.
Alexandra Orr – American Legion Junior 3-Postion Air Rifle Sporter Champion. Orr of Poquoson, Va., won the sporter title during the Legion’s air rifle championship in Hillsdale, Mich., July 20. She will be an incoming freshman at Poquoson High School and competes in air rifle with the Lafayette Gun Club.
Morgan Johnson – American Legion Boys Nation President. Johnson of Wagoner, Okla., attended Oklahoma Boys State and was selected to attend the 78th session of Boys Nation in Washington, D.C., July 19-26, where he was elected president. He will be a rising senior at Wagoner High School.
Lauren Tyree – American Legion National Eagle Scout of the Year. Tyree of Lincoln University, Pa., is a member of Scouts BSA Troop 19. Her Eagle Scout project was to fund and build a gaga pit at her elementary school, which gaga is similar to dodgeball but is played in a six-walled pit. Her project allows hundreds of students during recess to demonstrate sportsmanship and cooperation while being physically active.
Aubrey Jane Moore – American Legion National Oratorical Contest Champion. Moore of Renton, Wash., earned first place and a $25,000 scholarship during the 85th National Oratorical Contest, “A U.S. Constitutional Speech Contest,” in Hillsdale, Mich., on May 19. Her prepared oration was titled “Why Freedom Speech is in Danger.” She is a homeschooled rising junior.
Dylan Provenzano – 2023 Legion Baseball All-Academic Team Captain. Provenzano of Barrington, Ill., played Legion Baseball for Post 158. He is a sophomore at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis, and is studying to be a physical therapist.