Oratorical ｜ Optimist Club of Windsor

The topic for the 2024-2025 school year is:  How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times

It is a great opportunity for students to practice and refine their speaking and writing skills.  The Oratorical Contest is open to Youth ages 12 to 19 as of October 1, 2024, and not enrolled as a degree-seeking student of a post-secondary institution in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean. Students are required to prepare a 4- to 5-minute speech on a pre-assigned topic. This contest is designed to assist youth in gaining public speaking experience and allow them to compete for a scholarship.  There are no minimum age or grade level requirements.

First conducted in 1928, this is the second most popular Optimist International Program. Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in this program each year.  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 are awarded annually from this program.