2026 – 2027 Optimist Year
THE OLDEST AND BEST CONTEST OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL AND THE GATEWAY DISTRICT
Topic: “How My Actions Strengthen Thise Around Me”
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 5, 2027
Zone contest: March 18, 2027
Area contest: April 2, 2027
District Contest: April 17, 2027 at the Stuckey Conference Center, 1109 Experiment St, Griffin GA 30223
Area Alignment
Area 1: Zones 1 & 2- Alan Flint
Area 2: Zones 3 – Carolyn Martin
Area 3: Zones 4 & 5 – Dianna Johnson
Area 4: Zones 6 & 7 – Richard Bracknell
Area 5: Zones 8, & 9 – Ginger Howell
Each club may advance two contestants to the zone competition, and from there, two contestants from each area will advance to the district contest.
Additionally, each Lieutenant Governor should ensure the following documents are submitted to the Area Chair, who will then forward them to the District Chair, Richard Bracknell:
- Application Form – Completed and signed by the contestant and their parents.
- Birth Certificate – A copy verifying the contestant’s age eligibility.
- Speech Manuscript – A written copy of the contestant’s speech.
- Official Contestant Entry Form – Located on page 15 of the attached Oratorical Guide. This form is essential for completing the required paperwork.
- Entry Fee – A check for $35.00 per contestant.
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, 2026. 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.