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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.

Oratorical high res
Topic for the 2025-26 school year is:
“The Moment I Realized I Belonged — My Definition of Community”

Who:
The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada. There is no minimum age.

Residence:
Student must reside in the State of Michigan – Lower Peninsula

Language:
The essay must be written in English

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 Oratorical Chair for the Michigan District at oratorical@michiganoptimists.org.

A list of participating clubs will be posted in early December.

Optimist Clubs or parents wanting more information can use the form at the bottom of this page or please email the Michigan District Oratorical Chair at oratorical@michiganoptimists.org.

 

 

Clubs wishing to participate in the Oratorical Contest, send an email to oratorical@michiganoptimists.org with the following information:

  • Name of your Optimist Club
  • Name of the Chairperson
  • Chairperson’s Phone Number
  • Chairperson’s Email Address

 

Resources

Oratorical Contest

2025 – 2026 Local Clubs Participating in Oratorical Contest

Morning Auburn Hills Optimist Club

Auburn Hills, Michigan
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Christina Bowers

Contact Morning Auburn Hills Optimist Club

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Bay City Noon Optimist Club

Bay City, Michigan
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Sandy Dabrowski

Contact Bay City Noon Optimist Club

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Hartford Community and Always Motivated Optimist Clubs

Detroit, Michigan
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Cheryl Neason

Contact Hartford Community and Always Motivated Optimist Clubs

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New Detroit Unity Optimist Club

Detroit, Michigan
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Phonecia Long

Contact New Detroit Unity Optimist Club

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Northwest Detroit Optimist Club

Detroit, Michigan
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Billy Waterman

Contact Northwest Detroit Optimist Club

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Farmington/Farmington Hills Optimist Club

Farmington Hills, Michigan
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John and Anne Sebesta

Contact Farmington/Farmington Hills Optimist Club

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Grand Blanc Optimist Club

Grand Blanc, Michigan
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Loren Crandell

Contact Grand Blanc Optimist Club

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Lakeshore Optimist Club of Grosse Pointe

Grosse Pointe, Michigan
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Kent Commer

Contact Lakeshore Optimist Club of Grosse Pointe

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Hartland Optimist Club

Hartland, Michigan
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Keegan Hoose

Contact Hartland Optimist Club

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Huron Valley Optimist Club

Huron Valley, Michigan
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Mary Hydorn

Contact Huron Valley Optimist Club

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Royal Oak / Berkley Optimist Club

Royal Oak, Michigan
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Dave Richards

Contact Royal Oak / Berkley Optimist Club

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The list of participating clubs is usually available by December. In the meantime, students are encouraged to work on their presentation, so it will be ready to submit. Most local clubs only accept Oratorical Applications during the months of December and January. Students are to submit to the Club in their community. If one is not listed, submit to the club nearest where you live. Students are only permitted to submit to one club. Duplicate submissions are deleted.

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.

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