Optimist International
Essay and Oratorical Contests
The Optimist International Essay and Oratorical Contests are sponsored locally by the Optimist Club of Hillsboro, Oregon. If you are in middle or high school you are invited to compete.
A student may enter only one of these two contests in a given year. She/he also must attend a middle or high school in the Washington County or Hillsboro area to be considered by Hillsboro Club.
The Hillsboro Optimist Club is sponsoring the Essay & Oratorical contest. I wanted to get this information to you so you can begin talking with students. 1st place is $500, 2nd Place is $300 and 3rd is $150.
The Oratorical Contest is a live Speech the topic is: "The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community". And the Essay topic is: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”.
Contact me with any questions. Attached are applications & Rules. Deadline for the Essay Applications and Essays are November 1, 2025. Oratorical Applications and Speeches deadline is December 15th. I have an hsd email but it's not activated yet. I'm a licensed Sub Teacher at Century HS LSC.
Oratorical Contest to be held on January 8, 2026 at Century High School at 4pm.
See the contest applications (links are provided below) for complete contest rules and student restrictions.
To compete in the Essay Contest, a qualified student must submit a completed Essay Contest Application and a written essay. Contest rules specify the essay topic and format. To compete in the Oratorical Contest, a qualified student must submit a completed Oratorical Contest Application and present her/his prepared speech at an Optimist event. Contest rules specify speech’s topic and format.
November 1st, 2025 is this year’s deadline for submitting essay applications. December 15th, 2025 is this year’s deadline for submitting Oratorical contest applications.
Performance is judged by local Optimist panel. Decisions are final.
Use the buttons below to get the form version that you need. Fill out the correct Application; scan it and send the PDF electronically to the email address provided.
The essay required for the Essay Contest (see the Essay Application form for details) can be written on paper or typed. Submit your work electronically (PDF’d) using the contest email address provided.
Essay Contest
Application & Contact
Contact Don Gloud for Essay Contest schedule and process answers. Use Don’s email to submit your completed Essay Contest Application and your required essay. Click below for the application.
We are currently accepting completed applications and essays.
November 1st, 2025 is this year’s deadline for submitting essay applications.
Email: donweddingbliss@gmail.com
Oratorical Contest
Application & Contact
Contact Don Gloud for Oratorical Contest schedule details and process information. Use Don’s email to submit your completed Oratorical Contest Application. Click below for the application.
We are currently accepting completed applications.
December 15th, 2025 is this year’s deadline for submitting Oratorical contest applications.
Oratorical Contest to be held on January 8, 2026 at Century High School at 4pm.
Email: donweddingbliss@gmail.com
