News Release

WARSAW — Deadlines are approaching to enter this year’s Optimist International Essay Contest and the Optimist International Oratorical Contest for area youth, sponsored by the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club.

Optimist Essay Contest

Aspiring writers age 19 or younger will write on the topic “How Optimism Has Paved My Way to Success.” Young people have the chance to craft an essay that describes the impact of optimism on their journey, whether in overcoming challenges, achieving goals or simply navigating everyday life.

By participating, youth can showcase their writing skills and share their unique perspectives; compete for the chance to advance to regional competitions; and maybe inspire fellow youth with their story.

The deadline to submit an essay is 11:59 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.

Apply online for the essay contest by following this link.

For questions, contact Shari Benyousky by calling (574) 265-6782 or sending an email to [email protected].

Optimist Oratorical Contest

The oratorical contest topic will be “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times.”

The contest will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2025, in the old courtroom on the second floor of the Kosciusko County Courthouse, 100 W. Center St., Warsaw.

Prizes will be awarded to top finishers; the first- and second-place finishers will qualify for the zone contest; and there are scholarship prizes for advancement in the national contest.

First conducted in 1928, the oratorical contest is the second most popular Optimist International Program. Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in the program each year. The winners at the club level receive medallions, and zone winners receive a plaque. Districts have the opportunity to provide a first-place scholarship of $2,500, a second-place scholarship of $1,500 and a
third-place scholarship of $1,000.

The Optimist Oratorical Contest gives youngsters the chance to speak to the world. More than $150,000 in college scholarships funded by the Optimist International Foundations is awarded annually from this program.

The oratorical contest is open to youths younger than 19 as of Oct. 1, 2024, who also are not enrolled as a degree-seeking student of a post-secondary institution in the U.S., Canada or the Caribbean; there is no minimum age.

The deadline to enter the oratorical contest is Friday, March 28, 2025, or when 20 entries have been received by the sponsoring Optimist club.

Apply online for the oratorical contest by following this link.

For questions, contact Letrecia Nichols by calling (574) 265-5632 or sending an email to [email protected] or Jeff Owens by calling (574) 527-1387 or sending an email to [email protected].