Oratorical Contest 2026-2027
“Topic: “The Moment I Realized I belonged - How My Actions Strengthen Those Around Me”
District Contests will be held at the 3rd quarter meeting
Date: 4/17/2027
Preliminaries – at 10:00 am – students to arrive by 9:15am
Finals – after lunch
Club/Zone entries to District MUST be received no later than 4/1/2026 by District Chair. (See chair info below.)
Details:
1. Clubs may advance up to two contestants to the District level.
2. District contest is non-gender specific.
If your club is still holding separate male/female contests, make sure you are using the same judges for both contests. You will advance the winner who scored the highest to the District contest.
3. District contest fee is $50.00 per entry.
4. Please contact the chair (noted below) and let her know if you are OR are not having a club contest. (Lt. Gov. please let me know if you are having a zone contest.) IF a zone has the minimum of three contestants and wants to hold a zone contest, that winner will advance directly to the District finals.
5. Everything you need (except your judges of course) can be found in the Club Planning Guide found on the OI Website.
6. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the District Oratorical Chair,
Phil Haddad with any questions.
** District Winner will advance to the Regional competition.
District Chair: Phillip Hadadd
323 E Philadelphia Ave; Boyertown, PA 19512
Email:acoratoricalchair@gmail.com Cell #: 610-587-7754
District Entry Fee
$50.00 per entry; made payable to Atlantic Central District
DEADLINES:
Paperwork and Entry Fee due on 3/19 by Mail - No exceptions
3/30 Deadline for reservations participants and parents/guests who will be attending the contest, including those staying for lunch.
Planning Guide
Visit optimist.org for your Planning Guide
Additional Contest Details:
1. Clubs may advance up to two contestants to the District level.
2. District contest is non-gender specific.
If your club is still holding separate male/female contests, make sure you are using the same judges for both
contests. You will advance the winner who scored the highest to the District contest.
If a zone has the minimum of three contestants and wants to hold a zone contest, that winner will advance directly to the District finals.
DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIPS:
First Place: $2,500
Second Place: $1,500
Third Place: $1,000
Contestants have a chance to win up to $22,500 at the World Championship Level!
Essay Contest 2026-2027
Topic:
"Finding My Voice in a World Full of Noise."
Deadline
Club Winners must be submitted to the District Level by 2/27/2027
Winner will read their Essay at the 3rd Quarter Meeting
Entry Fee
There is a $15.00 Entry fee, made payable to OI Atlantic Central District
District Chair Contact Information
LaVera Seymour
480 Langdale Court
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Cell: 610-564-3281
Email: seymourla@outlook.com
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering not only benefits the organization and community, but also provides personal benefits such as building new skills, making new connections, and improving mental health. Join Atlantic Central District Optimist International and see the positive impact you can make.