Optimist International Youth Oratorical Contest

Youth Oratorical Contest Rules, Deadlines, and Regulations

Topic for the 2024-2025 school year is: “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times”

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: Youth under the age of 19 as of October 1 of the current Optimist International contest year, October 1 – September 30, 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: Interested students submit a speech on the pre-assigned topic to their local Optimist Club. To find out the contact in your area, please e-mail the Programs Department at programs@optimist.org.

When:

• Students – All Club-level contests are held by early February. Student submissions will not be accepted after the Club-level contests have closed. Please contact your District Chair for more information.

• Clubs and Districts – The deadline for Clubs to submit their winning essay to the District Chair is February 28 of the contest year. The deadline for Districts to submit their winner’s information to Optimist International is April 15 of the contest year. Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations.

Districts and Clubs may opt to hold an online Oratorical Contest. Click here for more information.

2024 Optimist International Oratorical World Championships
Saint Louis University St. Louis, Missouri, USA

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.