The topic for the 2024-2025 school year is:  How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times

It is a great opportunity for students to practice and refine their speaking and writing skills.  The Oratorical Contest is open to Youth ages 12 to 19 as of October 1, 2024, and not enrolled as a degree-seeking student of a post-secondary institution in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean. Students are required to prepare a 4- to 5-minute speech on a pre-assigned topic. This contest is designed to assist youth in gaining public speaking experience and allow them to compete for a scholarship.  There are no minimum age or grade level requirements.

First conducted in 1928, this is the second most popular Optimist International Program. Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in this program each year.  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 are awarded annually from this program.

 

 

 

 

Competition Dates and Information:

  • Windsor Optimist Club Oratorical Competition: (Top 2 proceed to zone competition)
    • Date:  Thursday, March 19, 2025
    • Time:  Contestants will be told what time to arrive
    • Location:  Poudre Valley REA, 7649 REA Pkwy Windsor CO 80528 (address may also appear as Fort Collins 80528).  
      • This is located in the southeast corner of HWY 392 and Fairgrounds Pkwy (LCR 5).
    • Students who attend school in the Weld RE-4 School District or live in Windsor, Colorado.
    • The top two competitors move on to zone competition.
    • Applications accepted after January 14, 2024
    • Application deadline:  March 5, 2024

 

  • Colorado/Wyoming District Regional Competition:
    • Date:  April 12, 2025
    • Time: Individual Participants will be provided with this information by the District Oratorical Committee.
    • Location:  VIA Zoom

 

  • Colorado/Wyoming District Finals: (up to a $2,500 scholarship awarded)
    • Date:  April 26, 2025
    • Time:  Occurs during Colorado/Wyoming District 3rd Quater Conference (exact time TBD).
    • Location:  Family Resource Pavilion, 9700 E Easter Ln, Centennial, CO 80112
    • The winner of the district final will move on to a regional United States Competition.

 

  • Optimist International Regional/World Championship Contests:
    • Dates:  July 17-18, 2025
    • Location:  St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri.
    • The regional United States Winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
    • scholarships in the amounts of $15,000, $10,000,
      $5,000 will be given to winners of the first, second, and third-place World.
      Champions, respectively.

If you are interested in participating in this event complete the below application:

Return completed applications to:

Windsor Optimist Club, PO Box 83 Windsor CO 80550 or windsoroptimistclub@gmail.com