Oratorical Contest
February 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Centerville Noon Optimist Club supports Optimist International by conducting the annual Margaret Barclay Memorial Oratorical Contest. This contest provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop important public speaking skills. Contestants prepare and deliver a speech between four and five minutes in length on the assigned topic. The winner on each of two contest dates will receive a cash prize of $500.
The topic for 2026, determined by Optimist International, is “The Moment I Realized I Belonged—My Definition of Community.”
All Community Members and Centerville Noon Optimist Club members are invited to watch the Oratorical competition.
The winners from the Club contests advance to the Zone competition, and then may advance to the District Regional competition and the Finals at the District level. At the Great Ohio District level, 1st place will receive a $3,500 scholarship.
