IMPORTANT YOUTH PROGRAM DEADLINES

The American Legion has a proud tradition of supporting our nation’s youth. Founded in 1919, the Legion established Children & Youth as one of its four foundational pillars—a commitment that continues today.

American Legion Cathay Post #186 proudly upholds this mission by supporting youth development, education, and leadership through our Youth Programs. We encourage families, educators, and students to take note of the following important upcoming deadlines and opportunities.

Cathay Post #186 Youth Program – Important Deadlines

• Constitutional Speech Contest (Oratorical Contest)

Deadline: February 1, 2026

https://www.cathaypost186.org/youth.../oratorical-contest

• Higher Education Scholarship

Deadline: February 16, 2026

https://www.cathaypost186.org/youth-programs/scholarships

• Evergreen Boys State & Girls State

Deadline: June 15, 2026

https://ebgs-wa.org/key-dates/

Please help us spread the word and support our youth as they pursue these valuable opportunities.

Cathay Post #186 proudly supports youth education through our annual scholarship program.

Information about our 2026 Scholarship Program are in the Scholarship tab.

CATHAY POST #186

CONSTITUTIONAL SPEECH CONTEST 2026

Cathay Post #186 has a mission of supporting our local community and its youth. One way we do this is by sponsoring up to four contestants to the Washington State Constitutional Speech Contest of 2026 for high school students. The competition will take place at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake on March 27-28, 2026. The four finalists will earn scholarships totaling $5,000 ($2,000/$1,500/$1,000/$500). 

Eligibility and contest rules can be found on the Washington State American Legion website:

https://waconstitutionalspeechcontest.org/.

Interested high school students must submit their completed application form to Cathay Post #186 to the following email address: info@cathaypost186.org by February 1, 2026 along with a video of two speeches: their prepared 8 to 10 minute speech and the 3 to 5 minute speech on one of the assigned topics. Contact us to find out which assigned topic you will be given for your video. Cathay Post #186 as the sponsoring organization will pay the $150 sponsorship fee. 

Your video will be evaluated using the Criteria for Certification form found on the Washington State American Legion website. If the video meets the criteria, your application will be forwarded to the Washington State American Legion. If, however, your video does not meet the necessary criteria, you will be given the opportunity to redo your video. The deadline for certification is February 15, 2026. 

Contact us at info@cathaypost186.org if you any questions. 

CATHAY POST #186

EVERGREEN BOYS & GIRLS STATE 2026

Cathay Post #186 has a mission of supporting our local community and its youth. One way we do this is by sponsoring up to two candidates to the 2026 Evergreen Boys & Girls State program for high school juniors (class of 2027). The event will take place at Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center in Stanwood, WA from June 21-27, 2026. 

Eligibility and requirements can be found on the Washington State American Legion Evergreen Boys & Girls website: https://ebgs-wa.org/.

Interested students must submit online their completed application form to the Washington State American Legion found on the website. The application deadline is June 21, 2026.

In addition, contact Cathay Post #186 (info@cathaypost186.org) to let us know that you are applying for the program. Please provide us with the following:

Name, Address, Email, Phone number, School, Year in school, Parent/Guardian name, Parent/Guardian email, Parent/Guardian phone number. 

Also, in a short paragraph, tell us why you wish to attend Evergreen Boys & Girls State and why you chose Cathay Post #186 to sponsor you. 

The cost of the program is $700. $350 will be paid for by Cathay Post #186. $350 will be paid for by the attendee’s family. However, cost should not be an obstacle to attending the event. Tuition assistance is available. Please let us know if you wish to apply for financial aid. 

Contact us at info@cathaypost186.org if you any questions.