Essay & Oratorical
These contests are open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed high school.
Essay Contest
Individual clubs have the option of holding an essay contest.
All clubs are eligible to sponsor a contestant and all club contests should be complete by Feb. 20th in order to get district applications to the program chair by Feb. 28th.
Learn more at: Optimist International
ARIZONA DISTRICT ESSAY CONTEST
It is time to start planning for the 2025-2026 Essay Contest.
The club planning guide and application can be downloaded here:
Club Planning Guide and Application
2025-2026 Topic: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”
Who: The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 - September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada. There is no minimum age.
Winner will receive a $2,500.00 Scholarship
If you have any questions, please contact:
Denise Davis
District Essay Chair
(928) 920-5350
Winner will be presented at the Third Quarter Conference
Oratorical Contest
Individual clubs have the option of holding an oratorical contest.
Zone competitions take place between clubs.
The Arizona District holds the district contest each spring.
Regional competitions take place and then the winners compete at the national level.
Learn more at Optimist International.
ARIZONA DISTRICT ORATORICAL CONTEST
It is time to start planning for the 2025-2026 Oratorical Contest.
The club planning guide and application can be downloaded here:
Club Planning Guide and Application
2025-2026 Topic: “The Moment I Realized I Belonged — My Definition of Community”
Who: The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada. There is no minimum age.
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.
APPLICATION AND ROUGH DRAFT OF SPEECH ARE DUE MARCH 30th, 2026.
CONTEST DATE IS APRIL 25th, 2026.
More specific information will be here on the website and sent to clubs.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Renate Krompasky
District Oratorical Chair
520 850-5470
3943 E. Paseo Dorado
Tucson, AZ. 85711