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.
Each winner of the District level contest will receive a scholarship for use at a college, university or trade school only. Three winners awarded scholarships of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 respectively for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. All scholarships will be payable to the educational institution of the recipient’s choice, subject to the approval of Optimist International. All scholarships will be administered by Optimist International Winners of an Optimist International scholarship must claim their scholarship by the age of 25.
