Topic for the 2026-2027 Year is:
“ How My Actions Strengthen Those Around Me”
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, 2026.
- 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 2026-27 Planning Guide: SWIS_26-27_Plan_Guide
SWIS Oratorical Student Application: SWIS_26-27_Oratorical_Application
Optimist International Contests:
SWIS Scholarship Flyer: SWIS_26-27_Scholarship_Flyer
- 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, 2027
- Zone Contests March and before April 20, 2027 (Check with LT. GOVERNOR for Scheduled Locations)
- SWIS District Conference May 2027
SWIS District Deadline: UPDATE - Submit Zone winners to Jo'El Pearlman by April 30, 2027 at eventplanner2000@hotmail.com
Submit winners to Optimist International by MAY 2027
Scheduled and organized by Lt. Governor of zone
Minimum of 3 contestants per Zone Contest
Must be completed BEFORE April 20, 2027
Zone winner information must be submitted by April 20, 2027 to the Oratorical Contact.
SWIS District Deadline: UPDATE - Submit winners to Optimist International by in MAY 2027
