Scholarships & Contests & Other Resources:
The Roseville area Optimist Club, as part of Optimist International, sponsors three scholarship contests for students to earn money to pursue opportunities in education beyond High School:
- Essay Contest – Due February 13, 2026, Now Closed
- Oratorical – Writing/Speech Contest – Due March 31, 2026, Now Closed
- Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) – Due April 8, 2026 – Now Closed
How to Enter: Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club, the Roseville Area Optimist Club (rosevilleoptimists@gmail.com), with the completed application before designated due date.
Optimist International – Essay Contest
This Contest is now Closed. Watch for the 2026-2027 Contest information to be posted Fall 2026
Thank you to all the students, teachers and family members who help their student compete in this year’s contest
The Essay Contest is sponsored to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. Topics vary by year, for the 2025-2026 school year the topic is: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”
The students first compete at the Club level with awards of (1st $500, 2nd $300 & 3rd $200). Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship
Application and rules for Roseville Area Optimist Club Contest
Submission deadline – February 13, 2026
Optimist International – Oratorical / Speech Contest
This Contest is now Closed. Watch for the 2026-2027 Contest information to be posted Fall 2026
Thank you to all the students, teachers and family members who help their student compete in this year’s contest
The contest is designed for young people to gain experience in public speaking, perfect self-expression, gain self-assurance, improve communication skills, and provide them with the opportunity to compete for a college scholarship. Each contestant shall prepare their own speech. The contestant may receive advice in the preparation of the speech and may make minor changes or improvements in the speech at any time. Topics vary by year, for the 2025-2026 school year the topic is: “The Moment I Realized I Belonged — My Definition of Community”
The winners at the Club level receive awards of (1st $500, 2nd $300 & 3rd $200). Zone winners receive recognition. 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.
Application and rules for Optimist Club of Roseville Contest
Guidelines for Oratorical Contest Participants
Submission deadline – March 31, 2026
Club Contest is set for Saturday, April 11th, 10am to 12 noon, TBA. For more information contact Oratorical Chairperson at rosevilleoptimists@gmail.com
Optimist International
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)
This Contest is now Closed. Watch for the 2026-2027 Contest information to be posted Fall 2026
This contest offers an opportunity for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to present their thoughts in the community, gaining skills which can only come from signing or speaking to a large audience. Patterned after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the Communication Contest For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers hearing impaired youth the chance to compete in speech or sign language. Topics vary by year, for the 2025-2026 school year the topic is: “The Moment I Realized I Belonged – My Definition of Community”
The Club sponsors students to the District Level winner receives a Plaque and a $2,500 scholarship for use at a college, university, or trade school only.
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)
Application and rules for Optimist DMM Contest
Dakotas Manitoba Minnesota (DMM) District 35 Contest Information
Speech and Application Submission deadline – April 8, 2026
DMM District CCDHH Contest will be held Saturday, April 25th at 9am to noon at Metro Deaf School, 1125 Energy Park Dr., St. Paul. MN 55108
For more information Contact Jeri Gorman jeri.gorman@gmail.com
Other Scholarship Opportunities and Resources
Other Scholarship resources are available from these sources:
- Roseville Area Optimist Club and Foundation Scholarships: Contact the Roseville High School College Lead Teacher in the RAHS Career & College Office for more information
- College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search
- Fast Web: https://www.fastweb.com/
- Federal Student Aid: https://studentaid.gov/
See – How Financial Aid Works
- Rise First – FAFSA Made Simple: https://risefirst.org/resources/resource-directory/fafsa-made-simple-your-comprehensive-financial-aid-guide
- Sally Mae: https://www.salliemae.com/
- Scholarship America: https://scholarshipamerica.org/what-we-do/students-parents/
Questions? Email Roseville Area Optimist Club – rosevilleoptimists@gmail.com