Scholarship Contests – Empowering Student Voices
(January to March)
Since 1928, Optimist International Scholarship Contests have helped students develop their communication skills while competing for substantial scholarship awards. The program’s flagship event, the Oratorical Contest, begins at the club level and advances through district, regional, and world competitions—offering the potential to earn over $22,000 in scholarships.
The Huron Valley Optimists proudly host and sponsor several of these contests each year:
- Oratorical Contest – Our local winner advances to the district level for the chance to win up to $3,500.
- Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing – Local winners also advance to district level, with the opportunity to earn up to $3,500.
- Essay Contest – Our most popular competition, awarding $1,000 locally and the chance to compete at district for an additional $2,500.
While we have not yet hosted a Kids Speak Out Contest, we hope to offer this opportunity to upper elementary students in the future—helping them gain early experience in public speaking and build confidence to participate in the Oratorical Contest later on.
These contests not only reward academic achievement but also foster self-expression, leadership, and personal growth.