Optimist Club to Sponsor Oratorical Contest for Students
The Optimist Club of Coronado is encouraging area students to speak their minds about 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.  Winners will receive cash awards to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and the winning speeches will be sent to the zone level, and possibly the district level for the opportunity to win college scholarships. Several students from Coronado have won scholarships in prior years.

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. Six students will be chosen to represent each school and competition will be separate gender contests.

“As they prepare for their future, many of our local students need experience expressing their thoughts and opinions to an audience,” Club President Dick Madouse 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 Monday, March 26, 2012.  Students wishing to participate in the oratorical contest can find out more about the contest by contacting the club chair Claudia Ludlow (Glorietta Bay Inn) at 619-365-0241 or contacting their local counselor or teacher for their school.