Oratorical Contest

Topic for the 2024-2025 Year is:
“ How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times"

Awards: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners receive $2,500, $1,500, $1,000 and $500 College scholarships. 

Eligibility UPDATE:
     - Contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2024.  
     - Interested students submit a speech on the topic to their local optimist club.
     - Combined boy and girl contests at all levels (Club-Zone-District).
     - No minimum number of contestants for Club Contests.

Supporting Documents for SWIS CONTESTS:  
SWIS Oratorical 2024-25 Planning Guide:      SWIS_24-25_Planning_Guide 
SWIS Oratorical Student Application:        SWIS_24-25_Oratorical_Application
SWIS Scholarship Flyer:                                SWIS_24-25_Scholarship_Flyer  

Optimist International Contests:  
     - Winners at the District Level can participate in the Regional Contest for Scholarships.  
     - Winners at the Regional Contest can receive larger scholarships.  (Previous District First Place Winners ONLY are NOT eligible to compete again). 

Sponsorship:
Club/Zone winners are sponsored by the club at the District Conference. The Oratorical Contest scholarships are sponsored by the Optimist International Foundation to give young people the opportunity to speak about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. 

Requirements:  
     - Speech is limited to 4-5 minutes. 

Components:
     - Poise (appearance, personality)      20 points
     - Content of speech                             35 points
     - Delivery and presentation               35 points
     - Overall effectiveness                        10 points

Schedule: 
     - Club Contests                                   January, February and before April 20, 2025
     - Zone Contests                                  March and before April 20, 2025
     - SWIS District Conference               May 9-10, 2025

SWIS District Deadline:  UPDATE - Submit winners to Optimist International by in MAY 2025

Scheduled and organized by Lt. Governor of zone
Minimum of 3 contestants per Zone Contest
Must be completed BEFORE April  20, 2025
Zone winner information must be submitted by April 20, 2025 to Jo'El Pearlman

Oratorical Chair Coordinator:     
     -  Jo'el Pearlman, Oratorical Coordinator / CHAIR
     - Phone: 262-620-1588
     - E-mail: eventplanner2000@hotmail.com 
     - Oratorical CONTACT: swisdistrictoratorical@gmail.com 

SWIS District Deadline:  UPDATE - Submit winners to Optimist International by in MAY 2025