The 2025 Oratorical Contest Rules:
Topic: “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times”
- Each contestant must fill out and submit an Official 2025 Oratorical Contest Application
- Students must be no older than 19 as of 10/1/2024
- All contestants must show proof of age. Birth certificate or Passport is acceptable
- Speeches shall be 4 to 5 minutes in length
- No use of props or special costumes are permitted
- All speeches must be delivered in English
- All copyright material must be verbally identified
- The student is not permitted to identify him/herself, parents, school, or community
- Each contestant must identify the official topic at the beginning of the speech
If any questions or additional information is needed, please contact Phillip Haer. [email protected]
Applications are due Feb. 7 2025
Mailed to
Hilliard Optimist Club
Oratorical Contest
PO Box 113
Hilliard OH 43026
Contest will be held in February 2025. Exact date TBD
Guidelines for Participants click here for more information
The Hilliard Optimist Club will award the top three essays
1st $500
2nd $250
3rd $150
Background
The Optimist Oratorical Contest gives students the chance to speak to the world. More than $150,000 in college scholarships are awarded annually from this program.
First conducted in 1928, this is the second most popular Optimist International Program. Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in this program each year. The winners at the Club level receive medallions and Zone winners receive a plaque. Districts have the opportunity to provide two $3,500 scholarships.