Expanding optimism with speech

In 2016, Optimist International updated its oldest program: the Optimist International Oratorical Contest. Started in 1928, the oratorical contest has always asked students to write and speak on a single topic. The contest would begin at the Optimist Club level and end with a scholarship award for the first place contestant at the District level.

The 2016 update moved the contest beyond the Optimist Club. In conjunction with St. Louis University, a global category was added to include persons where Optimist Clubs are not yet formed.

It then rebranded the contest to be the Optimist International Oratorical World Championships and added an international level to the competition where all District winners could go on to compete for additional $20,000 in scholarship prizes.

The contest has been well received and participation seems to be increasing. Please enjoy a look at the 2017 Optimist International Oratorical World Championships with this video.

The topic in 2018 is "Where are My Roots of Optimism?" Students under age 18, we encourage you to find an Optimist Club near you and get involved.

Optimist Clubs go international with 2016 Oratorical Contest World Championships

In 1928, Optimist International started the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the oldest of its scholarship programs. Each year since that time, young speakers have worked their way from the Optimist Club level to the Zone and District level to compete for prizes. The prizes have ranged from medals to modest scholarship awards and for many years, the top prize has been a $2,500 scholarship payable to the college or university of the winning student.

Coming in 2016, the Optimist Oratorical Contest is receiving a makeover. It will still involve the Optimist Club, Zone and District levels, but it has been enhanced to be truly international with more scholarship money - $22,500 - to claim.

Thanks to a partnership with St. Louis University, District winners will advance to a Regional level for a chance to win an additional $5,000. Winners from each of the 8 Regions will then advance to international competition where they will compete with oratorical contestants from around the world for $15,000.

Details for the competition at the Regional and International level are still being finalized; however, students can begin preparing today for their local and state or district-wide events. The theme is "How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others." 

Students must be 18 years old or younger as of October 1, 2015. Find complete rules and learn more at this link: Optimist International World Championships Oratorical Contest 2016.

All scholarship contests begin at the club level. Click here to find an Optimist Club near you.

Kids say the darndest things

Kids say the darndest things. Or maybe they say the most brilliant statements that can be made. I found this post on the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna's Facebook page today and just had to share. According to the post, a contestant in the Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) said, "Confidence with optimism is better than just confidence."

It's rather difficult to argue with that kind of logic!

If you would like to experience optimism through the eyes of children and young adults, I invite you to join an Optimist Club. Each year, Optimist Clubs host Essay, Oratorical and CCDHH contests for students to compete and earn scholarship money. It's a bonus for members to hear their voices, ideas and dreams.

At the club level, winning amounts are determined by the individual club. From each club, a contestant moves forward to zone and district competition. At that level, each first place winner earns a $2,500 scholarship.

Coming in 2016, Optimist International has partnered with St. Louis University to host an expanded Optimist International Oratorical Contest. Each first place district winner will move forward to a regional competition where they may win $10,000. The first place winners of the eight regions will then move forward to compete for an additional $15,000.

Details of the new competition levels are still being completed and we are excited for the expansion; however, every level of competition in an Optimist International scholarship contest gives the participant poise, confidence and hope. We encourage every teacher to involve their classes in this opportunity, but students, don't wait. You can enter with or without formal classroom involvement. Find out more about the Optimist International Scholarship Contests.  New topics for the coming school year are generally announced in late July.

Another in the irregular series, "What Do Optimists Do?" Optimists give kids a voice--and it is worth listening to! At...
Posted by Optimist Club of Greater Vienna on Wednesday, June 17, 2015

If you would like to experience optimism through the eyes of children and young adults, I invite you to join an Optimist Club. Each year, Optimist Clubs host Essay, Oratorical and CCDHH contests for students to compete and earn scholarship money.

At the club level, winning amounts are determined by the individual club. From each club, a contestant moves forward to zone and district competition. At that level, each first place winner earns a $2,500 scholarship.

Coming in 2016, Optimist International has partnered with St. Louis University to host an expanded Optimist International Oratorical Contest. Each first place district winner will move forward to a regional competition where they may win $10,000. The first place winners of the eight regions will then move forward to compete for an additional $15,000.

Details of the new competition levels are still being completed and we are excited for the expansion; however, every level of competition in an Optimist International scholarship contest gives the participant poise, confidence and hope. We encourage every teacher to involve their classes in this opportunity, but students, don't wait. You can enter with or without formal classroom involvement. Find out more about the Optimist International Scholarship Contests.  New topics for the coming school year are generally announced in late July.

Barbados Optimist Clubs proud of its young orators

Right now is one of my favorite times of the Optimist International administrative year. It is when Optimist Clubs and Districts all recognize young people for their communications skills through participation in the Optimist International Oratorical Contest and Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH). In fact, I like it so much that I use Pinterest collect pictures from Optimist Club scholarship contests submitted to local newspapers and then posted online. This is one reason, among many, that Optimist Clubs and Districts should be diligent about submitting press releases and recognizing their deserving youthful winners. People like me might pick up the story and help amplify it through their own networks.

A special post on Facebook caught my attention today. Posted by the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown, the young orators winning the Caribbean District Optimist International Oratorical Contest in 2015 were from Barbados. Congratulations to all.

2015 Caribbean District Oratorical Contest winners - all hailing from Barbados and we are proud:2nd place winner...
Posted by Optimist Club of Barbados - Bridgetown on Monday, April 20, 2015

What's an Optimist Oratorical Contest like?

The Optimist Club of Southfield-Lathrup, Michigan has completed its Optimist Oratorical Contest for 2015.

District Governor Cheryl Thames was on hand to congratulate the winners, and as she has done all year, share what being part of an Optimist Club is all about.

Please enjoy the video and learn why you should join an Optimist Club today.

Earn a communications scholarship through Optimist International

Optimist International began a new administrative year today, October 1, 2014. Congratulations and thank you to all of the Optimist Club officers who have been chosen to lead in their communities around the world.

One of the first and most pressing items of business for all should be the promotion of the Optimist International Scholarship Programs. These great opportunities begin at the Optimist Club level and allow students and members to interact as the children improve their communication skills.

First up is the Optimist International Essay Contest. It takes place in the fall and early winter with the topic "Optimism Should be a Priority." Click here to see the complete Essay Contest rules and then contact your local Optimist Club to learn when your essay must be submitted.

In the spring comes the oratorical contests, the traditional Optimist International Oratorical Contest and the Communications Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) students. The topic for both is "How My Optimism Will Help Me Press on to the Greater Achievements of the Future."

Click here for the Optimist Oratorical Contest rules.
Click here for the CCDHH rules. 

Remember, you must check in with your local Optimist Club for their submission and contest dates.

All contests award a $2,500 scholarship at the district level. Funded by the Optimist International Foundation, more than $150,000 is given away each year in the form of college tuition for students who have competed in an Optimist International Scholarship Contest.

If you are an Optimist Club, you may download the template for the promotional flyer here.

How our passions impact the world

Students compete in oratorical contest in the
PNW District - Optimist International

On Saturday, May 17, 2014, I attended the PNW District - Optimist International Finals for the Optimist International Oratorical Contest and Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Sixteen young adults told us how their passions impact the world. Early in the competition one young man explained, "Passion determines skills. Spend time with what you like and you will develop skills that lead to accomplishments."

That is so true. The quote reminded me of Malcolm Gladwell's definition of expertise being 10,000 hours of practice and I thought how perceptive that he sees that without Gladwell's encouragement.

Another played on the same line of thought saying, "Passions impact our lives through the accomplishments we achieve." I found it interesting that for our young speakers, passion equaled achievement.

Other speakers drove more into their personal passions. For the hearing students, that included such things as robots and innovation, art, reading and journalism. For the hearing impaired, their passions were similar and included such things as education and technology, but they were also much more interested in causes ranging from animal rights to obesity, anti-bullying and activism.

Closing out the competition was a young man, hearing impaired, but delivering his speech aloud. Wise beyond his years, he spoke like a true optimist when he said that he'd seen hardship in his life and realized it was his responsibility to rise above it. He explained that it is every individual's responsibility to change the world around them. If everyone would do this, then together the impact could change the whole world.

"Stand up when you know something is wrong," he said. Quoting Gandhi, he concluded, "You have to be the change you want to see in the world."

Indeed.

Well done, students. Thank you for your thoughts and the promise you give our future.

Let your passions drive you

We often ask the media to attend our Optimist Club Oratorical Contest, among other events, but rarely do they come. Not so for the Mount Clemens Optimist Club, Michigan. The Bath City Beat came and reporter Hannah Smith gave a great review of the activity.

Optimist Club president Jerry Kuhl described the path that contestants take to reach the $2,500 scholarship that can be earned at the district level and contestants explained how their passions led them to complete their speech and compete in the contest.

The topic changes annually and this year it is "How my passions impact the world." Mount Clemens contest winner Austin Rieck reflecting after his victory said, "Let your passions drive you. Always be happy about life."

Great advice, Austin. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. 

Click here for the video on YouTube courtesy of the Bath City Beat.

All ages compete in the Optimist International Oratorical Contest

One of the greatest things about the Optimist International Oratorical Contest is that it is open to all students 19 years of age and under. It's not unusual to find a 12- year old competing against a 16-year old and I've even seen contestants - good ones - as young as 7 or 8.

Some don't like the vast age range because they don't think it's fair for the younger students to compete against the older, more mature orators. But for me, I think that when the younger students get the opportunity to watch the older ones, they become motivated to do better the next year. That drive helps them get better, do better, and work for the best.

An example of younger and older students competing against each other and the younger student being victorious appeared in the Alpena News today from the Optimist Club of Alpena, MI. 17-year old Caitlyn Borke was the first place winner, followed by 13-year old Madelyn Boyd and 12-year old Taylor Ayotte.

Also shown in the picture is 13-year old Patrick Martin. He was the only boy to compete this year. I hope he enjoyed the experience and returns next year!

See more pictures of Optimist International scholarship program contestants here. 

Photo courtesy of the Alpena Optimist Club. 

Nobel-prize winner Paul Krugman wins third place in Optimist International Oratorical Contest

On Wednesday, October 16, Paul Krugman, Nobel-prize winning economist, professor of economics and international affairs at Princeton University, and op-ed columnist for the New York Times was awarded one of the 2013 Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Awards. He was presented the Freedom of Speech honor for exemplifying FDR's vision of democracy.

While thankful and humbled by the honor bestowed upon him, Krugman posted on his blog that "In truth, nothing will ever top this," and he treated his readers to a photo of his third place trophy (shown below) won as a young teen, in an Optimist Club Oratorical Contest.

Optimist Clubs have been hosting the Optimist International Oratorical Contest since 1928 and countless young men and women have participated, gaining the confidence and poise that helps them develop as young adults and succeed in many diverse endeavors as adults. I find it so exciting when they acknowledge their participation, not because it brings awareness to the cause that I find so dear; but rather, because their acknowledgement is proof that Optimist Clubs truly help young people reach their full potential.

You can help children reach their full potential in your community by becoming an Optimist Club member today. Click here to find an Optimist Club near you and join. 

Photo credit: Paul Krugman at the New York Times

I love pictures of Optimist International Oratorical Contests

Some Google alerts are better than others. I get a kick every time I open one with a link that takes me to the smiling faces of Optimist International Oratorical Contest participants. The students in this photo competed in the Breakfast Optimist Club of Spartanburg, South Carolina Oratorical Contest and earned medallions and cash prizes for their skills.

The winners shown here are: First place, Savannah Young of Boiling Springs High School (medallion and $100); second place, Drew Hendrix of Gable Middle School (medallion and $50); and third place, Terin Tyson of McCracken Middle School (medallion and $25).

As with every Optimist Club Oratorical Contest, winners advance to the next level of competition earning them the opportunity to compete for a $2,500 scholarship. Funded by the Optimist International Foundation, more than $150,000 is given away each year for students to use in their college education.

All students, regardless of location, compete by making a 5-minute speech on the same topic. This year, students are exploring, "Why My Voice is Important." The contests must begin at the club level. Competition will be completed in all areas by June 15, 2013.

Thanks to the Spartanburg Breakfast Optimist Club for the photo. 

See more Optimist International Scholarship contestants on Pinterest. 

Oratorical contest gives hope for the future

The Optimist Club of Windsor, Colorado recently hosted its Annual Oratorical Contest. In promoting the contest, it focused on the activity being the oldest and most well-known program for Optimist International. This year's topic, "Why My Voice is Important," allows students to think, write, and share their ideas in a critical way.

I was touched by some of the remarks made by the judges after witnessing the Windsor Optimist Oratorical Contest and thought I would share them here: 

• “I am thankful for the Optimist Club investing in the young people in our community, we have some incredibly talented teenagers in Windsor.” — Reza Zadeh
• “I was very impressed to see so many kids who are obviously both gifted and highly motivated. It gives me hope for the future.” — Trish Rand
• “I was very impressed with the students and how they interpreted the meaning of ‘using their voice’ and how important it was to them.” — Susan Vanderen

These are common  impressions of our young participants after one witnesses an Optimist Oratorical Contest. Communication is so important and today, when so much communicating takes place online and in writing, it is important that the art of delivering a speech and connecting with people in a live forum does not disappear. As Optimist Club members, we must work to ensure that doesn't happen.

If your club does not host the Optimist International Oratorical Contest, it should. Read up now on how to do it and be sure that the students in your community have every opportunity to participate.

Photo courtesy of Sandi Squicquero and the Windsor Optimist Club. Twelve students participated in the club contest, seven girls and 5 boys. The photo shows the girls division.

Looking for contestants? Make your program look like fun

Thirty-two students participated in the Prior Lake Optimist Club Oratorical Contest. I think that is awesome!

Prior Lake, Minnesota is a community approximately 20 miles southwest of St. Paul with a population of approximately 23,000 people. I've heard of much larger communities that have trouble getting three or four students to participate in the Optimist International Oratorical Contest. Teachers and advisors often say that the students are too busy or that the award ($2,500) isn't enough to inspire their students.

I think that as Optimist Clubs we need to be more inspirational on our own. We need to appeal to the students where they are most likely to notice. Facebook and Twitter must be in the mix, and for the greatest appeal, head on over to YouTube and upload a video that makes the contest look fun. Talking heads droning on about "Why my voice is important" is not fun. But short snippets from students, filmed at locations that matter to them, might be. Use your imagination, be creative and inviting, and you'll find that students are more interested in your program.

Optimist Oratorical Contest season in full swing

It's that time of year that every Optimist Club looks forward to: Optimist Oratorical Contest season. For the next few months, clubs will work with and hear from students on the topic, "Why My Voice is Important."

All contests start at the club level. Every Optimist Club determines what the club level prize will be for their contestants. Some opt for medallions or trophies while others provide scholarships of varying amounts. However, all students are competing for a district scholarship award of $2,500. 

Districts also have the opportunity to determine how prizes are awarded. Some have boy and girl categories where the first place boy speaker and girl speaker each receive $2,500. Other districts combine the genders and award three prizes of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000.

One thing is universal. The talent of the students and their courage for participating is inspirational. I look forward to it every year. 

The Optimist Club of Belleville, Illinois held its club level contest on February 12, 2013. Shown here are Armoni Perryman, Nycholas Cole, Damon Sanders, Katie Cottle, and Mahlik Good. Damon and Katie finished in first place and earned a $100 cash prize. They will advance to the Illinois District regional contest in Springfield, Illinois on March 23. 

If you or someone you know would like to participate in the Optimist International Oratorical Contest, please download the application here and then locate an Optimist Club near you to get involved. 

Optimist Oratorical Contest season is underway

The Optimist Club of Bixby, Oklahoma is off to an early start with this year's Optimist International Oratorical Contest and they went to YouTube to let the student speakers tell us about it.




The Optimist International Oratorical Contest takes place between January and May and all Optimist Clubs use the same topic to launch the students on their way to a $2,500 scholarship. Funded by the Optimist International Foundation, approximately $150,000 is given away annually.

The official topic for 2012-2013 is "Why My Voice is Important." Download the Optimist International Oratorical Contest application. Find out more about the contest at Optimist.org. 

It's never too late to recognize outstanding students

President Dick Kugler of the Breakfast
Optimist Club of Spartanburg, SC is
flanked by the Oratorical Contest
winners

I haven't posted Optimist International Oratorical Contest winners on the Experience Optimism blog this year because I started a Pinterest pin board for them instead. It is by no means complete and I would welcome any additions that you may have. Please share links and pictures with me (Linda Jackson) so that all of the wonderful student contestants may be recognized.

However, I decided to share a photo today to serve as both a reminder and a congratulations.

First, the students who participate in Optimist International and Optimist Club scholarship programs are brave young souls who deserve compliments and love for their speeches, essays and points of view. We think that they are all great and by choosing winners, we give all contestants something to strive for when they return next year. Over $150,000 is given away every year by the Optimist International Foundation for these contests. With more donated by individual Optimist Clubs, we think that promoting excellence in communication is well worth the effort.

The second reason for this post today is to give a shout-out to the students in this picture. Courtney Brink, Terin Tyson, Tara Ferris, Mackenzie Johnson, Jackson Erb and Cameron Hall were named the winners of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Spartanburg, South Carolina in April yet their pictures didn't appear in the paper until July 6. Thank you, students, we appreciate you!

And finally, if your club held a contest this year, but did not submit the information to your local paper - it is not too late! The students deserve the recognition and your Optimist Club will benefit from being associated with such young, high achievers. So go ahead, write a press release, include a picture, and submit it to your local newspaper today.

Photo courtesy of the Spartanburg, SC Breakfast Optimist Club. 

Optimism sparks courage in Ohio teen

Image credit: www.facebook.com/oreo

If you were on Twitter today, you may have seen that Oreos were trending. I clicked on a few links to discover that the #dailytwist was a rainbow filled Oreo in honor June 25 | Pride day.  ABC News went on to report that the cookie and its message first appeared on Facebook sparking an Oreo boycott. How sad that people can be so closed-minded, but they are.

I was surprised in the opposite direction yesterday when I stumbled upon a video posted by a brave young man from Ohio. He had recently won the Ohio District Optimist International Oratorical Contest and at the prompting of his English teacher he recorded his speech and posted it on YouTube.

I got emotional as I watched him because not only is his speech powerful and his delivery authentic, it is also the first openly gay message that I have heard advanced in the organization. I'm proud that the days of don't ask don't tell are coming to an end and I had planned to post the video here today well before I knew anything about the Oreo outrage. Now it is even more appropriate that I send this message to all. I am intolerant of intolerance. We must, as Optimist Club members, as human beings, accept that people are different and that our differences are better celebrated and not feared; accepted and not banned.

Please watch the Ohio finalist as he explains, "How My Optimism Helps Me Overcome Obstacles." 



I hope you find his message worth sharing too.

It's an optimistic life

Cathie Smith LoCicero moved to Scottsdale, Arizona last year and immediately set to work to start up a new Optimist Club. Reaching out through social media channels that included Facebook and Meetup, in conjunction with her positive outgoing personality, the Old Town Scottsdale Optimist Club was born.

Not quite five months later, this club is honored to announce that two students from contests sponsored by the Old Town Scottsdale Optimist Club are winners of the district level event and $2,500 scholarships. Cathie announced on her Facebook page, "TWO winners at Arizona State Optimist District scholarship awards. Our Isaac M won for his fantastic Oratorical presentation on his troubled youth & comeback & Victoria S for her heartfelt Essay on how one person can make a difference!"

I am especially touched by this accomplishment because without this club, these students may not have had the chance to compete and excel. I've watched Cathie engage with her community; her enthusiasm is contagious. She shares optimism every day. Congratulations to all on your success.

Pictures of optimism

Leah Gibson - Paso Robles Optimist Club

Around the world, Optimist Clubs are finishing up the Annual Optimist International Oratorical Contest. This year's topic is "How my optimism helps me overcome obstacles." Youths under 18-years of age prepare and deliver a speech 4 to 5 minutes in length.

Aubrey Deeble, Brendan Earle, Alexa Barnett
and Sam Exline - Eagle , Idaho Optimist Club

Every student must begin at the club level to participate. They progress through zone and regional competitions moving to the district level where the winners receive a scholarship of $2,500.

Students at the Optimist Club
of Anguilla

Students at St. John Antigua
Optimist Club 

The scholarships are funded through the Optimist International Foundation. Each year, the Foundation awards more than $150,000 in scholarships.

I enjoy receiving pictures of contestants and thought I'd share a few here today. Enjoy!

Students at the Optimist Club of Vancouver, Washington

Have a picture to share?  Please send it here.  Thank you. 

Photos courtesy of the Optimist Clubs.

It's scholarship season for Optimist Clubs

Optimist Club of Perdido Bay submitted by Sally McKinney

The spring is one of the best times to be an Optimist Club member for during this time of year we get to hear the thoughts and dreams of the young people in our communities through their participation in the Optimist International Scholarship programs. This year the Optimist International Essay Contest, the Optimist International Oratorical Contest and the Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing have similar themes around our organization's founding principles of optimism.

Shown in the picture above are members of the Optimist Club of Perdido Bay, Alabama and the winners of the club Essay Contest. The students wrote about "How my positive outlook benefits my community."

Shown below are students from the Windsor Optimist Club of Colorado. Fourteen contestants spoke on the topic, "How my optimism helps me overcome obstacles."  Deaf and hard of hearing students will present on the same topic.

Contestants in the Windsor Optimist Club Oratorical Contest photo by Tom Macy 

Scholarship programs are only one way that Optimist Clubs help children fulfill their full potential. Other programs that focus on youth sports, youth safety and community service, among others, allow students and adults to interact in ways that benefit both the kids and the adults and that interaction makes the communities with Optimist Clubs among some of the best places in the world to live.