American Legion – Ellerbe Post 73 Post Commander JoAnn Blyther delivers school supply donations to Mineral Springs Elementary School as the second semester of school gets underway in January 2026. Pictured above are the Assistant Principal, Rebecca Cagle, the Principal, Dr. Theresa Gardner, and Commander Blyther.
American Legion – Ellerbe Post 73 Post Commander JoAnn Blyther delivers school supply donations to Mineral Springs Elementary School as the second semester of school gets underway in January 2026. Pictured above are the Assistant Principal, Rebecca Cagle, the Principal, Dr. Theresa Gardner, and Commander Blyther.
American Legion – Ellerbe Post 73 Post Commander JoAnn Blyther delivers Nothing Bundt Cakes for the staff of the three Richmond County Aging Services Offices (Ellerbe, Rockingham, Hamlet) in January 2026 to show their appreciation for the outstanding services they provide to Veterans and Seniors during the year. Accepting the Donation for the staff is Ms. Pam Hill at the Rockingham Office.
From left: Isabella Avila (Post 296, Vass), Mason Morgan (Post 177, Southern Pines), Alex Hutchinson, District Winner (Post 147, Rockingham), Ianna Graham (Post 73, Ellerbe), Maggie Roberts (Post 350, Pinehurst). District 16 Commander Georgia Nelsen is pictured in the center with the District contestants below. The District Contest was held at the old courthouse in Carthage, NC. All students in 9th – 12th grade may participate in this program (public, private, or homeschool). Schools can host a contest and refer their winner to a Legion Post for sponsorship, or students may seek participation at a Post. For more information, contact a local Post or go to legion.org/oratorical. State winners receive $1,000 – $2,500 in scholarships. National winners receive $2,000 – $25,000 in scholarships. The North Carolina State Contest will be held at Southview Baptist Church in Hope Mills, NC, on 28 March 2026 at 12:00 Noon. The five state Division winners will compete on 28 March, with the winner advancing to compete at the National Contest, 15-17 May 2026 at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI.
Cadet Ianna S. Graham, RSHS Senior, competed in The American Legion Oratorical Speech Scholarship Program with Ellerbe Post 73 in January 2026. She earned the right to also compete at the District level in early February 2026. For her outstanding performance, she earned a college scholarship of $500.00 to be used at the college of her choice. Pictured above is Retired Air Force LTC Maxine Mills, Post 73 Parliamentarian, and Ret Army Captain JoAnn A. Blyther, Post 73 Commander. The Post contest was held at Fletcher Chapel Church in Hoffman, NC. Pictured below is Cadet Graham and other contestants from across District 16.