Oratorical Contest

“The Moment I Belonged–My Definition of Community”

The Optimist International Oratorical Contest is open to students who have not reached the age of 19 before October 1, 2025, and are not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution or have not won the OI Regional Contest in St Louis. There is no minimum age for contestants. All contests will be combined gender. 

Each contestant will prepare a 4-5 minute speech on the topic: “The Moment I Belonged–My Definition of Community”. All contestants must speak on the 2025-26 topic. Any quotation, copyrighted, or largely paraphrased material used in the speech must be identified verbally during the presentation and in the written copy of the speech with the original author’s name. During the speech, no reference can be made that identifies the contestant, parents, school, community, sponsoring Optimist Club or District. Full contest rules are included in the 2025-26 Optimist International Oratorical Contest Application. 

Beginning in 1928, the Oratorical Contest has become the longest-running program of Optimist International. The contest is designed for young people to gain experience in public speaking and provide them with an opportunity to compete for multiple college scholarships with a pre-assigned topic.

District Scholarships:
First Place: $2,500 • Second Place: $1,500 • Third Place: $1,000
Plus a chance to win up to $22,500 at the World Championships level!

All 2026 Oratorical Contest participants must start by competing in a local Optimist Club contest. For more information or help determining your local Optimist Club Oratorical Contest location please contact the CO-WY Optimist District Oratorical Contest Chairperson.

For in depth information on the Optimist Oratorical Contest check out  Guidelines for Oratorical Contest Participants