MONROE - The Monroe Breakfast and Noon Optimist Clubs are 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 speeches will be judged based on content and presentation to determine the top winners, who will advance to zone competition to vie for the entire Southern Wisconsin District competition on May 11. District winners will receive college scholarship funding of $2,500.
Students under the age of 18 as of Dec. 31, 2011, who have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent, are eligible to participate. There is no minimum age requirement.
"As they prepare for their future, many of our local students need experience expressing their thoughts and opinions to an audience," Noon Club president Pat Ormond said. "The Oratorical Contest challenges them to do just that and also offers an opportunity for scholarships. In this way, our clubs hope to bring out the best in each of them and help them achieve their goals for the future."
This local competition will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at the First National Bank and Trust. An application, printed copy of speech and a copy of birth certificate must be submitted by March 15 to 300 27th Ave., Monroe or electronically to myhchili@tds.net. Applications are available on line at optimist.org or contact Barb Nelson at (608) 325-2985 for an application or for more information.
The speeches will be judged based on content and presentation to determine the top winners, who will advance to zone competition to vie for the entire Southern Wisconsin District competition on May 11. District winners will receive college scholarship funding of $2,500.
Students under the age of 18 as of Dec. 31, 2011, who have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent, are eligible to participate. There is no minimum age requirement.
"As they prepare for their future, many of our local students need experience expressing their thoughts and opinions to an audience," Noon Club president Pat Ormond said. "The Oratorical Contest challenges them to do just that and also offers an opportunity for scholarships. In this way, our clubs hope to bring out the best in each of them and help them achieve their goals for the future."
This local competition will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at the First National Bank and Trust. An application, printed copy of speech and a copy of birth certificate must be submitted by March 15 to 300 27th Ave., Monroe or electronically to myhchili@tds.net. Applications are available on line at optimist.org or contact Barb Nelson at (608) 325-2985 for an application or for more information.
