Oratorical Contest
The Optimist Oratorical Contest gives youngsters the chance to speak to the world. More than $150,000 in college scholarships funded by the Optimist International Foundations is awarded annually from this program.
First conducted in 1928, this is the second most popular Optimist International Program. Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in this program each year. The winners at the Club level receive medallions and Zone winners receive a plaque. Districts have the opportunity to provide a first place scholarship of $2,500, a second place scholarship of $1,500, and a third place scholarship of $1,000.
Discovering the Optimism within Me
Topic for the 2022-23 school year is: “Discovering the Optimism within Me”
Who: Youth under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2022 (and is not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution) in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. There is no minimum age.
How To Enter: Interested students submit a speech on the pre-assigned topic to their local Optimist Club. To find out the contact in your area, please e-mail the Michigan District Oratorical Chair at oratorical@michiganoptimists.org.
When:
Students
The deadline to enter is determined by the sponsoring Optimist Club. All Club-level contests are typically held by late March.
Clubs and Districts
The District deadline to submit winners to Optimist International is TBD. Optimist International does not set Club/Zone/Regional deadlines.
Resources
Oratorical Contestlist of participating clubs
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
Whether you’re a parent of a student, a teacher, a youth volunteer or even an Optimist looking for more information, please use the form below and someone from the Michigan District Optimists Oratorical Committee will contact you. Be as concise as possible in the Message area.