Optimist International Oratorical Contest
Topic for the 2020-21 school year is: "Healing the World with Optimism"
Who: Youth under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2020 (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 Programs Department at programs@optimist.org.
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
Districts and Clubs may opt to hold an online Oratorical Contest. Click here for more information.
Club Oratorical Planning Guide
District Oratorical Planning Guide
Oratorical Contest Package - A Program Package for the contest is available by clicking here. Clubs can find useful materials to help them get started with the scholarship contest.Certificate for District Regional level
Certificate for District level
Publicize the Oratorical ContestOratorical Contest - Prior to event (.docx)
Oratorical Contest - After event (.docx)
District Oratorical One Winner - After event (.docx)
2020-21 Oratorical Contest Brochure
*If your Optimist Club or District wishes to use its own letterhead, you can remove the Optimist International logo in the document by opening up the Word document, going to "View," then "Toolbars" and selecting "Forms." When the "Forms" toolbar appears, click on the padlock, then click on the Optimist logo and delete it. For those using Microsoft Office 2007, click on the Microsoft Office button in the upper left corner, go to "Word options" and then select the box next to "Show the Developer tab in the Ribbon" and click "OK." Above the document, click the "Developer" tab and then click on the "Protect Document" drop-down menu. Click on "Restrict Formatting and Editing." At the bottom of the new window to the right, click the "Stop Protection" button.Oratorical Contest Quick Links