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. 

Holiday cheer that lasts all year

This season, like many before, the St. Andrews Optimist Club of South Carolina is in the Christmas Tree business. According to the video, they conduct this annual fundraiser so that they can provide projects throughout the year for children in the community.

Projects highlighted in the video are: Families Helping Families, Ray Tanner Home Run, Optimist Oratorical Contest, Be All You Can Be, and the Children's Garden. Find out more by watching the video, visiting the St. Andrews Optimist Club website and by stopping by to purchase a charitable Christmas Tree.

Located just past Harbison on St. Andrews Road, the St. Andrews Optimist Club charitable Christmas Tree Sale is going on now. Hurry in for holiday cheer with an Optimist promise that the cheer will last all through the year.

Optimist Club shares their story with a Squidoo lens

I was a little surprised to find a Squidoo lens focused on an Optimist Club. I don't know why it surprised me; after all, Squidoo is the platform that lets you "Publish gorgeous web pages about all your favorite things."  Optimist Clubs certainly fit that description for me!

The Optimist Club in the spotlight this time is the Optimist Club of Rock Hill, South Carolina. They started the lens back in 2009 and although it hasn't been updated frequently, it has enough information about what they do in the community to attract attention.  In fact, one of the comments from a reader is: "I didn't know what the Optimist Club was, but now I do."

The page starts out with a simple statement, "The Optimists of Rock Hill Need You!"

The author describes how you can make a difference in the lives of children through your involvement with the Optimist Club. They also give a glimpse of how you can make a difference in your own life with the Optimist Creed. Written by Christian Larson, the Optimist Creed is ten simple tenets to remind you to think, live and expect positive outcomes in your life.

One of my favorite parts of their small lens was a program that I believe is unique to their club: The Junior Optimist Art Club.

This is the ninth art club started in the Rock Hills schools and it is made up of kindergarten and first grade students. An after school art club serves kids through fifth grade. One of their service projects is to provide artwork to nursing homes.

I always enjoy a quick tour of a random Optimist Club.  Don't you?

Optimist Clubs sponsor regional spelling bee

The movie Akeelah and the Bee made me think differently about spelling contests.  I had often thought them curious activities and fun to watch, but I never knew what went on behind the scenes where children learn words and etymology and practice among themselves to be the best.  The anxiety that they portray onstage lives with them for months and years. Winning is a monumental accomplishment of knowledge, poise and dedication.

The Grand Strand Optimist Club and North Strand Optimist Club and the The Sun News Educational Foundation of Myrtle Beach, SC helped one young speller advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., May 31-June 5.

David Habibi emerged victorious in the Regional Competition that featured 48 young hopeful spellers.  The winning word was ephemeral. 

Good luck as you compete David.  Thank you Optimist Clubs for advancing youth scholarship in your community

Friend of the Year

Yes, I know it is Valentine's Day, but I didn't see a Valentine's Day story about an Optimist Club!  However, I did find an Optimist Club that was busy preparing for the next celebration of the year. 

The North Strand Optimist Club of South Carolina is busy preparing for the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.  And just for good measure, the Grand Marshal of this parade will be dubbed "Friend of the Year" in a nod to the motto of all Optimist Clubs. 

Optimist International's motto is "Friend of Youth."  The North Strand Optimist Club took this motivation to create the "Friend of the Year" award.  Students up to age 19 can be nominated for this honor.  Optimist Club member and Parade Coordinator Kelly Mathews said, "This contest is not about the person who is the most popular or involved in the most activities, but about a child who is an inspiration to those around them."

“We are looking for a heartwarming story," he continued.  "We want your heart to be touched and our hearts to be touched. We want to know about a child who is special and has done something that has touched the hearts of those around them."

In addition to being named Grand Marshal and Friend of the Year, the honoree will also receive a $500 savings bond.  Nominations should be in writing and should include the student's contact information, photograph and a story about leadership and attitude that depicts something special that the child does like visiting the elderly or caring for others.  Nominations must be received by February 19, 2010.   Please  click here for more information about the North Strand St. Patrick's Day Parade and Friend of the Year contest. 

Or read  the story here in PDF.

The "real" governor visits South Carolina Optimist Club

Optimist Clubs are not immune from politics. By politics, I mean the type where candidates are running for public office.  I always advise service organizations to remain neutral because choosing to take sides on a political issue or candidate can be polarizing not only to your members, but also to the community.  However, when the Governor of the State says he wants to visit, by all means, say yes.

That is what happened recently at the Optimist Club of Grand Strand, South Carolina.  Governor Mark Sanford made a visit on his way to the Republican gubernatorial debate.  He gave an informal presentation to the Optimist Club and asked for their help to "move South Carolina forward."

Governor Sanford also stopped by a local elementary school that had been trying to arrange a visit from him for two years.