"HOW OPTIMISM HAS GUIDED ME THROUGH TRYING TIMES"
The topic for this year is: "How Optimism has Guided me through trying times”
Purpose:
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.
Eligibility Criteria:
This contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2024 and who have not yet completed High School or its equivalent (and is not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution) in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. The minimum age for our club is 12 years of age. All contestants must provide age and identification from their birth certificate or passport before participating. Previous WORLD winners are ineligible to participate.
Rules:
Each contestant shall prepare his or her own speech. The contestant may receive advice in the preparation of the speech and may make minor changes or improvements in the speech at any time. Full rules are on the attached form. Please read them carefully as they are not all listed on this page and include important information about rules and penalties. The speech must be no less than 4 minutes and no more than 5 minutes.
Important Dates:
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 10, 2025
Local Contest Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 6:30 pm
Northern & Southern Regional Contest Date (for winners): Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 9:00 am - Central Jr. High School Library - 1801 Central School Road, Belleville, IL 62220
District Contest Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 9:00 am- Holiday Inn & Suites: East Peoria, IL on Saturday, April 12, 2025 - time TBD. District scholarships: First Prize $2,500, Second Prize $1,500 and Third Prize $1,000.
World Championship (for Regional winner): July 17-18, 2025 - St Louis University, St, Louis, MO. Time: TBD. World Championships scholarships: First Prize $15,000, Second Prize $10,000 and Third Prize $5,000.
Submission:
Submit your completed application at the bottom of this page by March 1st to register to compete at the Club level. Please note that on the registration form, you can leave the Sponsoring Club and Sponsoring Member section blank.
Prizes:
Club Level:
1st Place: Medallion or Certificate & $100.00 plus moves on to District Level
2nd Place: Certificate & $50.00
3rd Place: Certificate & $25.00
District Level:
1st Place: Plaque & $2,500 college scholarship
2nd Place: $1,500 college scholarship
3rd Place: $1,000 college scholarship
Regional Level:
1st Place: Plaque & $2,500 college scholarship
2nd Place: $1,500 college scholarship
3rd Place: $1,000 college scholarship
World Championship:
1st Place: $15,000 college scholarship
2nd Place: $10,000 college scholarship
3rd Place: $5,000 college scholarship
2024 C-U Optimist Club Winners:
1st Place: Mycal Turner (Urbana High School) also placed 1st at District ($2,500 scholarship), 2nd place at Regional ($1,500 scholarship).
2nd Place: Blake Bermingham (St. Thomas More)
2023 C-U Optimist Club Winners:
1st Place: Safa Thameem (Centennial High School) also placed 3rd at the Regional Level
2nd Place: Mycal Turner (Urbana High School) also placed 2nd at the Regional Level ($1,500 scholarship)
2022 C-U Optimist Club Winners:
1st Place: Mycal Turner (Urbana High School) also placed 3rd at the Regional Level ($1,000 scholarship)
2nd Place: Neah Franklin (Centennial High School)
Club Level:
1st Place: Medallion or Certificate & $100.00 plus moves on to District Level
2nd Place: Certificate & $50.00
3rd Place: Certificate & $25.00
District Level:
1st Place: Plaque & $2,500 college scholarship
2nd Place: $1,500 college scholarship
3rd Place: $1,000 college scholarship
Regional Level:
1st Place: Plaque & $2,500 college scholarship
2nd Place: $1,500 college scholarship
3rd Place: $1,000 college scholarship
World Championship:
1st Place: $15,000 college scholarship
2nd Place: $10,000 college scholarship
3rd Place: $5,000 college scholarship
2024 C-U Optimist Club Winners:
1st Place: Mycal Turner (Urbana High School) also placed 1st at District ($2,500 scholarship), 2nd place at Regional ($1,500 scholarship).
2nd Place: Blake Bermingham (St. Thomas More)
2023 C-U Optimist Club Winners:
1st Place: Safa Thameem (Centennial High School) also placed 3rd at the Regional Level
2nd Place: Mycal Turner (Urbana High School) also placed 2nd at the Regional Level ($1,500 scholarship)
2022 C-U Optimist Club Winners:
1st Place: Mycal Turner (Urbana High School) also placed 3rd at the Regional Level ($1,000 scholarship)
2nd Place: Neah Franklin (Centennial High School)