The Optimist Club of Oxford is encouraging area students to speak their minds about the topic ‘How my Optimism Helps me Overcome Obstacles? as a part of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest for the 2011-2012 school year.
The Optimist Club will judge local students? speeches based on content and presentation to determine the top winners. Winners will receive awards and the winning speeches will be sent to the zone level, and possibly the district level for the opportunity to win college scholarships.
Oxford middle and high school students under the age of 18, as of December 31, 2011, who have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent, are eligible to participate.
‘As they prepare for their future, many of our local students need experience expressing their thoughts and opinions to an audience.? Club President Gail Toth 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 achieve their goals for the future.?
The deadline to register is FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012. Student presentations will be held on March 21, 2012, 6:30pm at the Village of Oxford Chamber Council.
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.
The Optimist Oratorical Contest is one of the most popular programs with more than 2000 clubs participating annually. Carrying out the motto ‘Bringing Out the Best in Kids,? Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year.
For more information on this contest or if you are interested in becoming involved with the Ox-ford Area Optimist Club, contact Dan Sullivan at (248)830-2575 or dansullivan@oxparkrec.org.