Optimist Oratorical Contest
ListedCompetition
- Award
- District awards may be $2,500/$1,500/$1,000 at district discretion; $5,000 World Regional first prize and additional $15,000/$10,000/$5,000 World Championship prizes. Scholarship payable to approved college, university or trade school; claim by age 25.
- Deadline
- 2026-27 local club deadlines vary; most finish by late March. Confirm the sponsoring club deadline and current advancement-round dates, which are not published in the programme rules.
- How to apply
- Enter one local Optimist Club with signed student/parent application and proof of age. Prepare your own 4-5-minute English or French speech on How My Actions Strengthen Those Around Me; state exact topic in first sentence, provide printed speech and identify quoted/paraphrased material both orally and in writing. Limited preparation advice and notes/lectern allowed; no identifying school/community/club references, props/costumes or audience prompters. Winners advance through club/zone/district and World Regional/World rounds.
- What you'll need
- A speech or recorded oration
- Entry through a local chapter or club
- Who can apply
- Under 19 on October 1, 2026, no minimum age, and secondary school/equivalent not completed, including CEGEP students. Previous first-place World Regional winners cannot reenter at any level. Proof of age required; district winners submit birth certificate/passport copy.
- Good to know
- Sponsor may edit/publish/record speeches without payment; originality certified and plagiarism/AI checks used. Local and district awards vary.