SCHOLARSHIPS
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2019-2020 Contests
This year's Essay Contest topic is "Is Optimism the Key to Achieving the Dreams you iMagine?"
The topic for the Oratorical and CCDHH is "Just iMagine a World without Boundaries."
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We'll have links to this year's OI official sites as soon as they're up at Optimist International.
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iMagine is the 2019-2020 International Presidents theme. Yes, it is spelled small i large M.
Zone-level Contest
Oratorical
"Just iMagine a World without Boundaries"
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Please contact your local Club for its Essay and Oratorical Club-level deadlines.
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District level Contest
Oratorical
Estimated - 10 AM, Saturday, February 8, 2020
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Essay Scholarship contest
While our essay topic changes each year, the process remains the same.
1. Find out the Deadline and contest rules;
2. Plan and write your essay;
3. Contact your local Optimist Club to find out that Club's deadlines.
The club contest is followed by the District contest. The winner for the District is announced in April.
The key to winning this $2500 scholarship seems to be to have written an excellent essay that meets all of the competition's rules. AND, Optimists will be glad to review applicants' essays before they are submitted and make suggestions on how to better meet the rule requirements.
Remember the deadlines. If you miss the deadline for your local Club, they may still be able to help you find another Club where the deadlines have yet to expire.
Competing for scholarship awards can be rewarding in many ways.
Communication scholarship
Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)
While our topic changes each year, the process remains the same.
1. Find out the club contest's Deadline and contest rules;
2. Plan, write and PRACTICE your speech;
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3. Contact your local Optimist Club and submit your paperwork.
The club contest may be followed by a Zone level contest, and then a District contest at the May District meeting.
The key to winning this $2500 scholarship seems to be having written and then practiced an excellent speech. The speech may be delivered orally or in sign. Translators will be provided.
Cautionary Notes
Remember to read carefully the rules AND FOLLOW them. Superb contestants have "lost the race" because they failed to follow the rules.
Remember the deadlines. If you miss the deadline for your local Club, they may still be able to help you find another Club where the deadlines have yet to expire.
oratorical Scholarship contest
While our oratorical topic changes each year and the award options INCREASED this year, the process remains the same.
1. Find out the Deadline and contest rules;
2. Plan, write and PRACTICE your speech;
3. Contact your local Optimist Club and submit your paperwork before the club's DEADLINE.
The club contest may be followed by a Zone level contest. The District contest will be held at the February District meeting. The District award is $2500 for first place, $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third.
This year Optimist International will hold an REGIONAL and then a WORLD competition after the District competitions. The winners of the Regional competition will win $5,000. The World competition winner will be awarded $15,500 in scholarship money.
The key to winning the oratorical scholarship seems to be to having written and then practiced an excellent speech. Remember to read carefully the rules AND FOLLOW them. Superb orators have "lost the race" because they failed to follow the rules.
Sometimes, winners compete several years; othertimes, like 5 years ago, the winner was a middle school student with an excellent essay presented from memory in a mature manner.
Oratorical Scholarship Awards, 2019-2020
$22,500 possible
District First Place-$2,500 Second Place-$1,500 Third Place-$1,000
Regional First Place Only-$5,000 *
World First Place-$15,000 Second Place-$10,000 Third Place-$5,000 *
* Final Region and World Contest specifics yet to be announced.