The GEO Oratorical Contest Committee is now seeking entries for the Optimist International 2011-2012 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 first place winners at the Club level each receive medallions and a $100 U.S. Savings Bond to be presented at a special awards banquet. Zone winners receive a plaque and the District first place winners each receive a $2500 scholarship.
Topic: “How my Optimism Helps me Overcome Obstacles”
When: Club Deadline Mar. 3, 2012
Who: Youth under age 19 as of 12/31/11 who have not graduated from high school or the equivalent
Contestants are to write and deliver a speech on the official Optimist International topic; each speech must be five minutes in duration, and given in front of an audience and three judges. Optimist members and qualified members of the community are selected to be judges. There is a girl's category and a boy's category. Our two club winners (one girl, one boy) will then compete at the Zone level. The winners of that contest will next move to an Area contest, between Zones in the same geographical area, where those winners go on to the District finals held at the 3rd Quarterly Meeting in May 2012. For the District competition, the participants and immediate family are "guests" of the Optimist Organization, with all travel expenses, meals and lodgings provided for.
If you know of a youth who may be interested in entering our club’s Oratorical Contest, please click here for an official entry form or contact Jim Carroll, Oratorical Chair, at (310) 415-0196 for more information. The deadline for entries is March 3, 2012.
Entry forms may be mailed to:
Gardena Evening Optimist Club
P.O. Box 2132
Gardena, CA 90247
Attn: Oratorical Chair
Or emailed to: info@gardenaoptimist.org