She did not throw away her shot. 

After months of competitions and preparation, Powell High School junior Emma Johnson placed third at the National American Legion Oratorical Competition in Indianapolis. She was awarded a $20,000 scholarship for her third place finish.

In addition to earning the scholarship, Johnson made history at the competition as the first Wyoming representative to make it to the final three at Nationals. 

“It’s just really cool to know that not just being a girl but also just being someone from Wyoming and showing that the state exists,” Johnson said. “But just putting us back on the map and showing that there are critical minds out there that speak and that are able to put thoughts to paper and show that this next generation is so powerful.”

The oratorical competition requires the contestants to memorize an eight-to-10-minute long oratory speech discussing an aspect of the United States Constitution. Johnson, drawing inspiration from the musical “Hamilton,” spoke about how her generation is ready to protect the Constitution. The Broadway production uses rap songs and dances to tell the story of one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton.

“It kind of was just an amalgamation of my own personal experience and tying it back as to how the next generation is ready to protect the Constitution,” Johnson said. “And we’re showing that we’re ready to be engaged.”

Johnson considered her speech to be unconventional because rather than focusing on a specific facet of the Constitution, she focused on making it personable. She wanted to present a speech that was a reflection of her, and she ended up showing people that you don’t have to sacrifice your personal voice to appease a crowd. 

“I mean, don’t get me wrong, $20,000 is pretty, pretty incredible, but at the same time walking off and knowing that I did something different but something that was so me, that probably was the most redeeming,” Johnson said. 

Throughout her speech, Johnson stressed the importance of the involvement of the people in America’s government because, as a democracy, the government inevitably relies on the power of the people. 

“There’s a powerful connection using something as powerful as the musical “Hamilton” and gearing it towards initiating more voter engagement and more involvement in our country’s politics,” Johnson said.

In her speech, Johnson provided her audience with a call to action which is in the form of the acronym, U.S.A. which stands for utilize, supply and allow.

“I felt that that was really just one of my more powerful moments in my speech where I could say, ‘Look, everyone has the capability of utilizing what we have been given, supplying the next generation to be curious about the Constitution and allowing people to have open opinions and thoughts because the best type of growth is through new opinions being formed,’” Johnson said.

Outside of presenting her speech, Johnson had the opportunity to form connections with her peers from all around the country.  

“It’s a really cool experience to be surrounded by such like minded peers,” Johnson added.

After her plane landed in Cody, Johnson was met by the Powell American Legion Post as they welcomed her home with flowers and hugs. 

“That was something that I had not anticipated, I actually shed a couple tears just because it was so sweet, “ Johnson said. “It just goes to show how much the town of Powell really rallies around people of course.”

Although she cannot compete in the competition again, she was grateful for the chance to make history.

“While a part of me is very sad knowing that I won’t be able to deliver it in that manner again, I think [my speech] definitely gave me the opportunity of a lifetime,” Johnson said.