2021 Oratorical contest Topic: “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. Please contact Aiden McDonnell at aidenpm2@gmail.com with any questions.

Scholarships awarded by the Illinois District:  

First Place - $2500 

Second Place - $1500 

Third Place - $1000 

Noted Changes:
This year we are required to do a virtual speech contest.  
Other requirements Optimist International has implemented include: 

1. Students would have to participate individually from their own home, not in a classroom or public area.  

2. 1-2 observers would need to 'witness' their speech - family members are welcome

3. We would 'inspect' their speaking area by having the student rotate their camera around prior to speaking to ensure rules are being followed. 

4. Students will be placed in a queue, in a virtual 'waiting room' (a Zoom function) while judges were allotted 5-7 minutes to score the students' speech in between each speaker. 

5. Students cannot observe other speakers, they remain in queue until their allotted time begins. 

Our Club Contest Results are due to the district by April 3rd, 2021.

The Quincy contest is tentatively set for either Saturday, March 13 or 20. 

Application with contest rules are attached below. 

Click here for more rules and an application.

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. The winners at the Club level receive medallions and Zone winners receive a plaque. Districts have the opportunity to provide two $2,500 scholarships or a first place scholarship of $2,500, a second place scholarship of $1,500, and a third place scholarship of $1,000.