ORATORICAL CONTEST
TOPIC: “The Moment I Realized I Belonged–My Definition of Community”
The two Forsyth County Optimist Clubs are honored to conduct an annual oratorical contest. This program is offered to all Forsyth County students in grades 5 through 12. Students create and present a speech based on a specific topic.
Topic for the 2025-2026 school year “The Moment I Realized I Belonged–My Definition of Community”
For sometime our program has been the largest Optimist Oratorical in the world. This years Contest will run from February 6th through March 2nd 2026.
Here are the dates for the Oratorical contest dates:
Elementary:
KEY DATES:
2/6/25 – Must turn in the number of participants for each school – all contestants will receive a certificate for participation. This is for every student who wrote a speech in your school.
School winners name and information as soon as your contest is complete, but no later than 2/12/26.
2/23/26 – Elementary Semi Finals start at 6:00 pm (students to arrive by 5:30) @ ACE (Academies of Creative Education) Media Room
3/2/26 – Elementary Finals start at 6:00 pm (students to arrive by 5:30)
4/13/26 – Luncheon @ Northside Forsyth for 1st place winner from Sawnee Cumming Optimist Club Finals, parents, principals and coordinators.
Elementary Final winners, 1st place, 1st runner up, and 2nd place trophies. 1st place will also receive a check for $100.00 at the luncheon hosted by Northside Forsyth Hospital. Parents, principals, and coordinators are invited to attend the luncheon date 4/13 located in the Bennett Education Center Classroom on the ground floor in the 1400 Building at the hospital. Our sincere Thanks to Northside Forsyth Hospital for hosting this event.
Again, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Mid/High:
KEY DATES:
2/6/25 – Must turn in the number of participants for each school – all contestants will receive a certificate for participation. This is for every student who wrote a speech in your school.
School winners name and information as soon as your contest is complete, but no later than 2/12/26.
2/25/26 – Mid/High Semi Finals start at 6:00 pm (students to arrive by 5:30) @ ACE (Academies of Creative Education) Media Room
3/5/26 -Mid/High Finals start at 6:00 pm (students to arrive by 5:30)
4/13/26 – Luncheon @ Northside Forsyth for 1st place winner from Sawnee Cumming Optimist Club Finals, parents, principals and coordinators.
Mid/High Final winners, 2 Gold medallions, 2 silver medallions and 1 bronze medallion. 2 Gold medallions will also receive a check for $500.00 at the luncheon hosted by Northside Forsyth Hospital. Parents, principals, and coordinators are invited to attend the luncheon date 4-13-26 located in the Bennett Education Center Classroom on the ground floor in the 1400 Building at the hospital. Our sincere Thanks to Northside Forsyth Hospital for hosting this event.
Zone Contest: March 21, 2026 10 am, students must arrive by 9:30 am
Area Oratorical: March 28, 2026 10 am, students must arrive by 9:30 am
Both contests will be held at Nesbitt Hall at the UNG Gainesville (Oakwood) campus.
We are grateful to the parents, school coordinators and principals for their participation and support in helping us bringing out the best in our kids.
The two Middle/High School Forsyth County winners will each receive $500 and advance to the Zone contest held in March of 2026. The Zone Contest winners were announced last year on March 24th and posted on our Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/scocga
The District contest date in April of 2026.
The District contest will be held during the Gateway District Conference April of 2026 – the three winners will be awarded scholarships of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 respectively for first, second and third place.
The Regional and International World Championship contests will be held at St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO in July 17th -18th, 2026. The Optimist International World Championship winners will receive scholarships in the amounts of $15,000, $10,000, and $5,000 to the first, second, and third place winners, respectively.
The Oratorical Chairs are:
Carolynn Martin (Chair ) and Janna Shacklett (Co-Chair)
You may leave a message for them at our club voicemail – 770-402-8689.
Last years 2025 winners:
2025 Zone winners: $500 each
- Riva Sonone DeSana Middle School
- Riya Shah Lambert High School
2025 Area winners:
- Riva Sonone DeSana Middle School
- Riya Shah Lambert High School
District 1st Runner Up Winner: $1,500
- Riva Sonone DeSana Middle School
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