Oratorical Contest 2025

2024 – 2025 Optimist Year 

THE OLDEST AND BEST CONTEST OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL AND THE GATEWAY DISTRICT 

Topic:  “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times”

District Contest Chair:     Richard Bracknell  

                                                     Email: Richard.Bracknell@carrolltoncityschools.net
                                                     Phone: 770 314 2425

Our goal is to have 40 Clubs participate this year. Start now preparing for your club to send two contestants (gender neutral) up the “Oratorical Ladder” with the opportunity to win $22,500 in scholarships.  Look to the District announcements for information and come to the District meetings to gather insight, suggestions, and hear of the joy of doing this for our kids!  

The deadlines for the contest are: 

Club contest:  March 1, 2025  

Zone contest:  March 17, 2025

Area contest:  March 29, 2025

District Contest:  April 26, 2025

Area Alignment (LTGs to coordinate Area Contest)
Area One is Zone 1, 2, 3
Area Two is Zone 4, 5, 6
Area Three is Zone 7, 8, 9
Area Four is Zone  10, 11, 12

Again, we look forward, WITH YOUR HELP, having another record breaking year in both participants and clubs.  

The contest is open to students under the age of 19 by October 1, 2024. Students must enter in the District in which they reside.

Fees:  Each winning contestant from a club must be accompanied by an entry fee check in the amount of Thirty-five dollars ($35), made payable to Gateway District, Optimist International. This fee applies to ALL winning entries advancing to another level of competition. These fees are normally paid by the sponsoring club. 

Your next step?   Online Info: Planning Guide, application, and contest rules can be accessed: click on this link to the OI website.

Download: the Application and Contest Rules form, click here.

GATEway Optimists