2021 OPTIMIST CLUB ORATORICAL CONTEST

The Optimist Club of Van Wert invites area students to enter its annual Oratorical contest, for the opportunity to win prize money and the possibility of earning thousands of dollars in scholarships.

The Optimist Club Oratorical Contest is set for Mar. 14 and will be conducted online via Zoom. Students are asked to craft a four-to-five-minute speech addressing the topic, “Healing the World with Optimism.”

Winners will receive cash awards of $300 for first-place, $200 for second-place, and $100 for third place. The top two local contestants will advance to zone, regional, district, and possibly international level competitions for the opportunity to win $2,500 up to $22,500 in scholarships.

The contest is open to all Van Wert county students who are under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2020 and are not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution. There is no minimum age to enter, but the contest is generally appropriate for middle school and high school students.

Oratorical contest applications are available now at area middle and high schools, or may be obtained by contacting Greg Yinger at vwyinger@gmail.com. Deadline for entries is Mar. 8.

Carrying the motto “Friend of Youth,” the Optimist Club of Van Wert conducts positive service projects in support of young people.  To learn more about the club’s volunteer service opportunities, visit www.optimistvw.com or @OptimistVW on Facebook.

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