The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold is encouraging area students to speak their minds about the topic “How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others” as part of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest for the 2015-16 year.
The Optimist Club will judge the students’ speeches based on content and presentation to determine the top two winners. Winners will receive $500 scholarships each and the first place student will compete at the zone level and possibly the district level for the opportunity to win college scholarships, according to a press release.
Winners of the district level will be eligible to compete in a regional competition in St. Louis. Winners of the regional contests will compete in the world championship, also in St. Louis. Students could win up to $22,500 or more in scholarships.
The contest is open to students under the age of 18 as of Oct. 1, 2015.
“As they prepare for their future, many of our local students need experience expressing their thoughts and opinions to an audience,” Optimist Club President Matt Schiappa said. “The oratorical contest challenges them to do just that and also offers an opportunity for scholarships. In this way, our club hopes to bring out the best in each of them and help them achieve their goals for the future.”
The deadline to hand in speeches is March 30. Students wishing to participate in the oratorical contest can find out more about the contest at www.optimist.org or by contacting the club through Bill Woodard at 732-446-9782 or Sylvia Allen at 732-946-2711.
The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold has been participating in the Optimist oratorical contest for many years and has been active in the community since 1985. The club has been involved with and supportive of many programs and services to the youth in its communities, according to the press release.
