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Optimist International Oratorical Contest

Award Amount
$2,000
Award Amount
Application deadline
April 30, 2025
Application deadline
Awarded By:

Optimist International

Number of Awards & Eligibility: The number of awards vary depending on how many districts participate. Last year, 53 awards were given.
In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
  1. This award is for international and U.S. students.
  2. Must be under the age of 18 as of Dec. 31 of the current school year. The student must not have yet graduated high school at time of application. There is no minimum age.
  3. Must be educated at the high school level in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean.

In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:

Description: Students who are under the age of 16 as of Dec. 31 of the current school year and are educated in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean are eligible to enter this contest. Students do not have to be members of an Optimist Club to enter; however, they must be sponsored by a local club.

Application requirements for the Optimist International Oratorical Contest are:

  • Application form
  • Written speech
Additional Information: The speech contest is designed to inspire today's youth to motivate and inform others through the art of public speaking. It provides young people with the opportunity to compete for a college scholarship and express their views on a pre-assigned topic. A contestant is eligible to enter/compete in only one Optimist Club Oratorical Contest during a contest year (Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 of the next year). Also, any contestant who has won an Optimist International Oratorical scholarship award is ineligible for any future competition. A local club may be represented in the next stage of competition by only two qualified contestants.

Award Amount: Each district will award either: two $2,500 scholarships or a first-place scholarship of $2,500, a second-place scholarship of $1,500, and a third-place scholarship of $1,000. All awards are non-renewable.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $2,000.

About Optimist International:
Contact Information: Danielle Baugher ,Program Coordinator
Address: 4494 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri 63108

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