AMS&NW District 13

Optimist International

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Oratorical Competition

Oratorical Contesst

Optimist Oratorical Contest

The Optimist Oratorical Contest gives youngsters the chance to speak to the world. More than $150,000 in college scholarships are 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 two $1,500 scholarships or a first place scholarship of $1,500, a second place scholarship of $1,000, and a third place scholarship of $500.

2009-10 Competition

Topic: "For Me, Optimism is ... "

Who: Students under the age of 16 years as of December 31 of the 2009-2010 school year (December 31, 2009) and who are educated in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean.

How To Enter: Interested students submit a speech on the pre-assigned topic to their local Optimist Club. Students or a teacher can contact their local Optimist Club to arrange a local speak-off competition. For an application with contest rules, click here. The application must be submitted to the sponsoring Optimist Club by the specified deadline date.

Information for Optimist Clubs

The Oratorical Contest planning pages are intended for use by Optimist Clubs in organizing and conducting a contest in their Club. They contain no information on entering the contest and are of no use to students wishing to enter the contest. Additional Oratorical Contest documents can be found at the Programs page on the Optimist International website.

Club Deadline: The deadline for Clubs to submit the Club names of winning oratorical competitors to the Zone Chair will be announced. The Zone will hold a speak-off and the winner(s) will move on to compete in the Alberta Regional speak-off.

For Optimists Planning the Oratorical Contest at their Club: All Members can now view and conveniently print the 2009-2010 Club Oratorical Contest Planning Guide.

Oratorical Contest Supplies: Support merchandise for this program can be ordered through the online Canadian Supplies Store operated by the Corall Group.