Accepting Applications from now to February 24th, 2023
The Optimist Club of Calgary is again sponsoring the Optimist International Oratorical Scholarship Contest for the 2022-23 school year. The contest is open to students who are under 19 years of age on October 1, 2022. Speakers will research, write and present a four-to-five-minute speech on the topic “Discovering the Optimism within Me” at a date and location in Calgary yet to be determined. We encourage students who have public speaking experience through school, church, Guides and Scouts, 4-H, Air Cadets, and other organizations and training programs to enter.
An Oratorical Contest Application containing all rules and other information can be found by clicking on the following link:
https://www.optimist.org/documents/2023/programs/22-23_Oratorical_Application.pdf
For more information on the Oratorical Contest, check out our website at https://optimistyyc.org/contests/ or the Optimist International Website by CLICKING HERE.
Entries will be accepted on a first-come basis until February 24, 2023. The contest will have a maximum of ten contestants. The actual speaking event will be held in Calgary sometime in mid-March, with a date yet to be determined.
Entries for the contest should be submitted by e-mail to Bob Steele (Essay and Oratorical Contest Chair) at ironmanb@telusplanet.net with the Subject “Oratorical Contest”. The entry must include a completed application form, signed by the entrant and his/her parent, a copy of proof of age, and a brief statement of the school, grade attended, and previous speaking experience.
The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ speeches based on content and presentation to determine the top winners. Winners will receive AWARDS 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.
Winners of the regional contests will compete in the World Championship also held at Saint Louis University. Students could possibly win up to $22,500 in scholarships!
Optimist International is recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all youth and helps them develop to their full potential.