Optimist International Oratorical Contest 
Topic for the 2021-2022 school year is: “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times”
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.
When: Ft. Bend Optimist Club contest is Tue, February 22, 2022, 7:00 pm
Where: Sugar Land Imperial Park Recreation Center, 234 Matlage Way, Sugar Land, TX 77478
How To Enter: Interested students submit a speech on the pre-assigned topic, completed 21-22_Oratorical_Application and proof of age compliance, to their local Optimist Club. Send these and/or contact local contest chairman at president@fboptimist.org .
Awards
Club level first place winner will receive $200 award and advance to District Contest, with an opportunity to win scholarship of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 for first, second and third place winner, respectively. Then first place District level winner will advance to the World Championships, beginning with a Regional contest on July 21 and the International Contest on July 22. Regional winners are awarded an additional $5,000 scholarship and advance to the International Contest. International first, second and third place winners will be awarded an additional $15,000, $10,000 and $7,500 scholarships, respectively.
Club level second and third place winners will receive an award of $100 and $75 respectively.
South Texas District Oratorical Contest
Saturday, April 23, 2022 Houston Marriott Westchase 2900 Briarpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
2022 Optimist International Oratorical World Championships
July 20-22, 2022 Saint Louis University St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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.
First conducted in 1928, this is the second most popular Optimist International Program. Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in this program each year. The winners at the Club level receive medallions and Zone winners receive a plaque. Districts have the opportunity to provide a first place scholarship of $2,500, a second place scholarship of $1,500, and a third place scholarship of $1,000.