Oratorical Contest
Dor-Wood Oratorical Contest
2024 Oratorical Contestants: 3rd Place, Nava Detamore, Van Buren MS, ; 2nd Place, Jordan Hall, Van Buren MS, ; Winner, Riley Wyatt, Fairmont HS.
Topic for the 2023-2024 school year is: “How to Change the World with Optimism”
Who: Youth under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2024 (and is not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution) in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. There is no minimum age.
How To Enter: Interested students submit a speech on the pre-assigned topic to their local Optimist Club. To find out the contact in your area, please e-mail the Programs Department at programs@optimist.org.
Students
The deadline to enter is determined by the sponsoring Optimist Club. All Club-level contests are typically held by late March.
Who: Youth under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2024 (and is not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution) in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. There is no minimum age.
How To Enter: Interested students submit a speech on the pre-assigned topic to their local Optimist Club. To find out the contact in your area, please e-mail the Programs Department at programs@optimist.org.
Students
The deadline to enter is determined by the sponsoring Optimist Club. All Club-level contests are typically held by late March.
Runner-up Claudia Imwalle (lft)
Chairman Fred Dressel
Winner Lane Nevers (rt)
Lft to Rt. Max Homan, Runner-up Claudia Imwalle,
Mr. Fred Dressel, Margaret Schoen, Winner Lane Nevers
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.
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.
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.
Laura Luczka, VBMS teacher; 2020 Winner: Kaia Williams from Van Buren MS; Megan Byer, VBMS teacher;
Chairman Fred Dressel
Chairman Fred Dressel
Teachers, Debbie Huber & Laura Luczka; Principal, Sarah Adams; Josiah Hall(3rd); Kala Williams(2nd);
2019 Winner: Samantha Blaumeiser (all placers from Van Buren MS); Chairman Fred Dressel