Optimist International, a worldwide volunteer organization, announced Wednesday it has partnered with Saint Louis University to host the third annual Optimist Oratorical World Championships for students around the world. Students will be challenged to craft speeches in which they discuss the topic “Where are My Roots of Optimism?”
This year’s World Championships will be held at Saint Louis University’s Center for Global Citizenship on Thursday, June 28 and Friday, June 29.
Optimist International and its member Clubs have conducted the Oratorical Contest since 1928. Over the years, Optimist International has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships, and thousands of youth participate in the Oratorical Contest each year at the Club, Zone, and District levels. Currently, the Optimist International Foundation annually awards scholarships in the amount of $250,000 to District winners. In addition to any scholarships awarded by Optimist International at the Club, Zone, and/or District levels, the winner of each Regional Round (9) will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Further, a $15,000 scholarship will be awarded for first place, a $10,000 scholarship will be awarded for second place, and a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded for third place in the World Championship.
To qualify for the World Championship Competition, students under the age of 18 competed at multiple levels where their speeches were judged based on content and presentation to determine the top winners. For more information, including contest streaming information, visit www.optimist.org/oratorical.
Optimist International is made up of more than 2,500 clubs whose members work each day to make the future brighter by bringing out the best in children, in their communities, and in themselves. Carrying the motto “Bringing Out the Best in Youth, our Communities, and Ourselves,” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about Optimist International, visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org.