Optimist International Youth Contests 2025-2026
ORATORICAL CONTEST
"The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community"
District Scholarships: First Place: $2,500 • Second Place: $1,500 • Third Place: $1,000 with a chance to win up to $22,500 at the World Championships level
District Contest May 1-2, 2026
Oklahoma Area (TBD)
District Contact: Cheryl Erickson, Arlington Optimist Club
cheryl.oca@gmail.com
817-909-3342
ESSAY CONTEST
"How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me"
The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship! One District Scholarship of $2,500
Club Winners due before February 28, 2026 to:
District Contact: Cheryl Erickson, Arlington Optimist Club
cheryl.oca@gmail.com
COMMUNICATION CONTEST FOR THE DEAF & HARD OF HEARING
"The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community"
This contest offers an opportunity for students who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing to present their thoughts in the community, gaining skills, which can only come from signing or speaking to a large audience. Patterned after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the contest offers youth the chance to compete in speech or sign language with the chance to win a college scholarship. District Scholarships: First Place: $2,500 Second Place $1,500 Third Place: $1000
District Contest May 2026 TBD
District Contact(s): Stephanie Sullivan, Optimist Club of Fort Worth
stephanie.sullivan57@gmail.com
Carolyn Riddell, Breakfast Optimist Club of East Fort Worth
artemis4813@outlook.com
KIDS SPEAK OUT! SPEECH CONTEST
All young people can compete in the Optimist Oratorical Contest. The “Kids Speak Out” contest is a “pre-Oratorical” program that provides a more equitable competition for younger speakers.
Contact Your Local Club for More Information
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CLUB PROGRAMS
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Since Clubs are autonomous, Optimists have the flexibility to serve the youth of their community in any way they see fit. Please share your Club ideas with others. |
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JOOI PROGRAMS
View All JOOI Club Programs »
JOOI Clubs provide a cool way for you and your friends to help solve real problems facing your hometown. JOOI links Members of all Optimist JOOI Clubs throughout North America and around the world. JOOI Clubs perform community service projects just like adult Optimist Clubs. All JOOI Clubs share the same mission, “Kids Helping Kids,” and students like you organize and run the Clubs. |
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