The Optimist Club of Radcliff is encouraging area students to speak their minds about the topic “How to Change the World with Optimism” as part of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest for the 2023-2024 year.
The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ speeches based on content and presentation to determine the top winners. Winners will receive an award and the winning speeches will be sent to the Zone level, and possibly the District level for the opportunity to win college scholarships. Winners of the District level will be eligible to compete in a regional competition in St. Louis, Missouri, at Saint Louis University.
“As they prepare for their future, many of our local students need experience expressing their thoughts and opinions to an audience,” Club President Teresa Price said. “The Oratorical Contest challenges them to do just that and also offers an opportunity for scholarships. In this way, our club hopes to bring out the best in each of them and help them achieve their goals for the future.”
Who: The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. There is no minimum age.
Winners of the regional contests will compete in the World Championship also held at Saint Louis University. 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 a first place scholarship of $2,500, a second place scholarship of $1,500, and a third place scholarship of $1,000.
2024 Optimist International Oratorical World Championships
July 18-19, 2024
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
The deadline to hand in speeches is March 26. Students wishing to participate in the oratorical contest can find out more about the contest by contacting Denise Haynes at (270) 312-5057 or dhaynes1973@gmail.com. Submissions can be dropped off our bi-weekly meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 at Colvin Community Center.
Download the application here.
