The theme for this year’s Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club Oratorical Contest is “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times.”
Set for March 30 in the old courtroom of the Kosciusko County courthouse, 100 W. Center St., Warsaw, doors open at 12:30 p.m., with the contest starting at 1 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded to top finishers. First and second place qualify for the zone contest. There are scholarship prizes for advancement in the national contest.
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 a first-place scholarship of $2,500, a second-place scholarship of $1,500, and a third place scholarship of $1,000.
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 is awarded annually from this program.
Youth under the age of 19 as of Oct. 1, 2024 (and is not enrolled as a degree-seeking student of a post-secondary institution) in the United States, Canada or the may enter. There is no minimum age.
To enter, contact Letrecia Nichols at 574-265-5632 or [email protected]; or Jeff Owens at 574-527-1387 or [email protected]
The deadline to enter is March 28, or when 20 entries have been received by the sponsoring Optimist Club. Find the application link at warsawoptimist.org.