SER TLC Individual Teen Portfolio Guidelines (Con’t)

• In the event of a tie the portfolio with the most BIC points awarded from the judges will be Best-in-Class.

Distinguished Gold Seal Overall Score 98-100

Excellent Blue Seal Overall Score 95-97.99

Merit Blue Seal Overall Score 90-94.99

Certificate No Seal Overall Score <90

Best-in-Class Highest Score per category

*In the event of a tie the teen receiving the most Best-in-Class votes from judges in that category will receive the award.

Ann Owen Gordon Oratorical Competition

This contest is named in honor of the late Ann Owen Gordon, Southeastern Regional Director, 1977-1981, who introduced this competition as one of her leadership initiatives. Division I (Ages 13-15 years) will compete at the 2023 Teen Conference. All contestant teens and a registered conference guest adult of their choosing will be invited to attend the Breakfast of Champions and will be acknowledged for being finalists in the competition.

General Rules

• The Southeastern Regional Teen Oratorical Contest is divided into several phases. The contest begins at the Chapter Level with the selection of a contestant who competes at the Super Clusters. The competition ends with the selection of winners at the Regional Teen Conference.

• Division One (13 -15 years of age) will compete during the 2023 Teen Conference.

• The topic on which contestants speak is selected at the Teen Conference immediately preceding the new program year. Participants must use this topic. The 2023 Oratorical Competition topic is “Black Excellence: Aspire to Build an Empire”.

• The contestant must state the topic at the beginning of his or her speech.

• Orientation sessions for judges and participants will be held prior to the contest to ensure that rules are fully explained and understood.

• Abbreviated rules will be read to the audience at the beginning of the contest.

• The introduction and qualifications of judges will be announced to the assembly at the end of the competition.

• The decision of the judges is final. However, in the event of omissions, or miscalculations, the Regional Director may take appropriate steps to ensure fairness for all contestants.

Timing

The time allowed for each speech is three to five (3-5) minutes. Contestants may not speak under three minutes or over five minutes.