Public Speaking Competition Theme Announced
WARSAW — The Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club announces that applications for their annual public speaking contest are now being accepted.
There are at least two lessons we ought to have learned from the recent national election: First, we live in a society with too much animosity and negativism and, second, our youth have a lot to say about that. That’s what makes the 2017 Optimist International Oratorical Contest theme so timely – “What the World Gains from Optimism.” This competition provides the youth of our community a forum to share their ideas and have them heard by the world.
This is a tiered contest in which participants first take part in the local contest with winners moving on to further levels ending at the World Championship level. The local contest, sponsored by the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club, will be held at the Kosciusko County Courthouse in the Courtroom on Friday, Feb. 24. Prizes for local winners include an iPad Mini, an Android Tablet and a Fitbit Charge HR. Winners at the District level are eligible to receive scholarships up to $2,500.
There is no cost to enter, however the deadline for applications is Wednesday, Feb. 22. To be eligible, youth had to be 17 years of age or younger on Oct. 1, in order to participate. Interested youth and/or their parents may download an application and list of rules by visiting the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club website and clicking the link at the top of the page for “2017 Oratorical Contest.” Completed applications can be mailed to 2017 Oratorical Contest, at 504 S Colfax St., Warsaw, 46580.
One of the purposes of the Optimist Club is to aid and encourage the development of youth in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world. The Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club donated around $30,000 this past year to youth oriented activities in the community. The public is invited to attend one of the weekly meetings to learn more about the local club and its involvement in the community. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m. at the Shrine Building at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds on Wednesday mornings with the 1 hour meeting beginning at precisely 7 a.m.