Hillsboro Optimists offer annual oratorical contest

The Hillsboro Argus, January 27, 2012

The Optimist Club of Hillsboro is encouraging area students to speak their minds on the topic "How My Optimism Helps Me Overcome Obstacles," as part of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest for the 2011-2012 year.

The Optimist Club will judge the local students' speeches based on content and presentation to determine the top winners. The first-place winner will receive $500, while $300 will be awarded second place and $200 for third place. The winning speeches will be sent to the zone level, and possibly the district level for the opportunity to win college scholarships of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000.

Students under the age of 18 (as of Dec. 31) who have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent, are eligible to participate.

"As they prepare for their futures, many of our local students need experience expressing their thoughts and opinions to an audience," Club President Kathy Jungels said. "The Oratorical Contest challenges them to do just that and also offers an opportunity for scholarships. In this way, our club hopes to bring out the best in each of them and help them achieve their goals for the future."

The deadline to hand in speeches is March 1. Students wishing to participate in the oratorical contest can find out more about the contest by contacting their teacher, their school office, or the Optimist Club at 503-640-1848. Entries must be mailed to the Hillsboro Optimist Club, P.O. Box 314, Hillsboro, Ore. 97123.

The Optimist Club of Hillsboro has been participating in the Optimist Oratorical Contest for 43 years and has been active in the community since 1968. Other programs and service projects the Club is involved in include Essay Contest, Student Appreciation, Teacher Appreciation, Respect for the Law, etc.

Optimist International is one of the world's largest service club organizations with 100,000 adult and youth members in 3,400 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico and throughout the world. The Optimist Oratorical Contest is one of the organization's most popular programs, with more than 2,000 clubs participating annually.

Carrying the motto "Bringing Out the Best in Kids," Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about Optimist International, please call 314-371-6000, or visit the organization's website at www.optimist.org.