On Sunday morning, April 28th, students gathered on the 5th floor of Furst Hall on the uptown campus of Yeshiva University to participate in the annual Langfan Family Constitutional Oratory Competition. Twenty-two students from both Yeshiva College and Stern College participated. The competition is a public speaking competition designed to enhance student awareness and understanding of significant constitutional issues of concern to all citizens. For weeks, students had been preparing to address this year’s topic – “’Kill Lists’: How extensive are the president’s war powers?” Participating students were expected to develop an argument regarding the idea, addressing questions as to whether the President can unilaterally order the targeted killing of an American citizen without consulting the Judicial Branch. Participants were encouraged to heavily research the topic and accrue a thorough understanding of the various issues involved, recent controversies, and current events relevant to the topic. While they were offered a few preliminary sources, including numerous cases and various articles, the participants were largely on their own in terms of shaping their own opinions and arguments. For some upperclassmen, it was the second or third time they would address the judges, while for others, it was the first time they were taking part in the competition. From Stern College, Hannah Dreyfus took first place, Nechama Dreyfus (SCW ’15) won second place and Meirah Shedlo (SCW ’13) took third. From Yeshiva College, the first place, second place, and third place winners were, respectively, Aaron Kor, Charles Kopel, and Mark Weingarten. Professor Schram, one of the judges for the women’s competition, commented that she believes the competition to be “a superb opportunity for students.” She reflected on the judging process, noting that she was “impressed” with the participants, who she felt “exhibited a high level of sincerity, credibility, conviction, and ability to research, design a 5-minute talk, and deliver it well on such a complex topic.” The judges engaged in a forty-minute discussion, laboring over which of the participants to award the top three places. Second time Langfan participant and first-place winner Hannah Dreyfus (SCW ’14) feels the competition has been a particularly valuable part of her undergraduate experience. “Participating for the second year in the Langfan Oratory Competition has been an exceptionally rewarding experience,” remarks Dreyfus. “I think it is a critical forum for women (and men) to gain confidence in public speaking and ease when it comes to discussing complex relevant issues.” Dreyfus hopes to participate in next year’s competition as well and offers a “special thank you to the Langfan family for their continued generosity.” Second-place winner Nechama Dreyfus enjoys traditional debate because “it forces you to think on your feet and pushes you to directly counter your opponent’s claim” but found the Langfan competition particularly compelling because “it emphasized coming in with a prepared speech and encouraged me to strengthen my formal speech-writing abilities.” Third-place winner Meirah Shedlo adds that she enjoyed the “challenge of concisely debating the legal arguments while developing oratorical ability.” Both judges and participants eagerly anticipate next year’s competition.