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.
This contest is designed to assist youth in gaining public speaking experience and provide them with an opportunity to compete for a scholarship.
Topic for the 2024-2025 school year is: “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times”
The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1 of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and is not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution. Districts and Clubs will hold combined gender contests.
Entry due to the club by March 9th, 2025
Oratorical Contest to [email protected].
Club Contest competition will be held TBA. Time to be determined after applications have been submitted.
Contest location:
To be determined
Time to be determined.
Club level scholarships ($500 for 1st, $350 for 2nd, $150 for 3rd); opportunity to advance to higher level with substantial scholarship awards
District Contest late March
The Roseville Optimist Club winners qualify to compete for the District Oratorical Scholarships. District Oratorical scholarships awards are awarded for First Place: $2500 Second Place: $1500 Third Place: $1000. Local Scholarships:
District Winners can advance to Regional, and there will be a World Championship Contest. One winner can win up to $22,500 or more in scholarships.
General contest information from Optimist International can be found here: http://www.optimist.org/e/member/scholarships4.cfm
2024-205_Oratorical_Application – Roseville, MN
For further information contact us at [email protected].
Please read the application and rules carefully.