2025-2026 Topic:
“The Moment I Realized I Belonged
— My Definition of Community”
Optimist Oratorical Contest
March 30 , 2025
Doors Open 12:30 PM
Contest Starts 1:00 PM
Kosciusko County Courthouse
Old Court Room / 2nd Floor
100 W Center Street, Warsaw IN 46580
Chairpersons
Letrecia Nichols
574.265-5632 – lnichols@joes-kids.org
- Prizes top finishers
- 1st and 2nd place qualify for Zone Contest
- Scholarship prizes for advancement in the National Contest.
Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club – 04555
Optimist International
Oratorical Contest Topic
“The Moment I Realized I Belonged
— My Definition of Community”
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.
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.
Who May Enter:
Youth under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2024 (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:
Contact
Letrecia Nichols – 574.265-5632 – lnichols@joes-kids.org
Students
The deadline to enter is March 28th, 2026 or when 20 entries have been received by the sponsoring Optimist Club.