The Eden Prairie Optimist Club encourages area students to speak their minds about the topic “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times” as part of the 2022 Optimist International Oratorical Contest.
Students interested in participating can submit an Oratorical Contest application by Friday, April 1. The speech contest is open to students who have not yet graduated from high school and are under 19 as of Oct. 1, 2021.
Speeches will be conducted and judged at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, at Star Bank, 250 Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie. Contestants are asked to arrive at 5 p.m.
The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ speeches based on content and presentation to determine the top winners. Winners will receive medallions, and gift cards. The winning speeches will move on to further competition for the chance to compete for up to $22,500 in college scholarships.
“As they prepare for their future, many of our local students need experience expressing their thoughts and opinions to an audience,” said Ryan Affolter, chair of the EP Optimist Club’s Oratorical Contest. “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.”
For more information, email Affolter at ryanaffolter.optimist@gmail.com or visit the Eden Prairie Optimist Club’s Facebook page.
The Eden Prairie Optimist Club has participated in the Optimist Oratorical Contest for more than 30 years. It has been active in the community since 1978.
According to a press release, the Optimist Club members work each day to make the future brighter by bringing out the best in children, their communities, and themselves.
Other programs and service projects that the EP club is involved in include the Floyd Berntsen Annual Hooked on Fishing Event, Annual Optimist Kids “OK5K” on the Fourth of July, and the Eden Prairie Sings! competition.