Oratorical Contest
( March )

Committee Co-Chair: James Orr 248.766.9413

Committee Co-Chair: Wes Berry 248.851.9164

Topic 2006: " My Future is Bright Because ... "

Deadline to submit entry is March 18, 2006

Copy of Rules: http://www.optimist.org/Publications/05-06_ORATORICAL_RULES_PAD.pdf

The Optimist Club of West Bloomfield has extended the deadline to submit contestants to sub entries to enter the 2006 Oratorical Contest. All entries must be received no later than Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 5:00 pm. The awards will be presented at their next breakfast meeting being held on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 7:00 a.m. The event will be held at the Fiddler Restaurant located at 6676 Orchard Lake Road (south of Maple Road) in West Bloomfield.

Each year, the 8^th Grade Classes from Orchard Lake Middle School and Walled Lake Schools actively participate. There are separate competitions for the boys and girls. Contestants must be under the age of 16. James Orr, Optimist member and Co-Chair of the Oratorical Contest, noted that, "This event is designed to inspire today's youth on how to motivate and inform others through the art of public speaking."

According to Optimist President Dan Navarre, "It is exciting to watch the young people express their views so convincingly on their pre-assigned topics. A great deal of credit goes not only to the students for their efforts, but a special acknowledgement goes to their teachers and parents for supporting the excellent presentations."

The topic this year is, "My Future is Bright Because…” The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners will be selected. Judges from in Oakland County District Court's volunteer their time and will rank the contestants.

Wes Berry, Co-Chair of the Oratorical Contest added, "We are very pleased that the West Bloomfield Schools will be taping the competition so that the entire community can also see these remarkable performances." The competition will be recorded for broadcast on WBTV - Channel 19, the West Bloomfield School District's Educational Access Channel.

The winners from West Bloomfield will go on to compete in a District competition and be eligible for college scholarships. The event and breakfast are open to the public and free of charge.

2005 ORATORICAL WINNERS:

Boys:

1st place:  Jason Kovacs (Orchard Lake Middle School, West Bloomfield)

2nd place:  Adam Marsch (Orchard Lake Middle School, West Bloomfield)

(no other boy contestants)

Girls:

1st place:  Allison Berman (Orchard Lake Middle School, West Bloomfield))

2nd place:  Trisha Jain (Orchard Lake Middle School, West Bloomfield)

3rd place:  Yang Sheng (Walnut Creek Middle School, Walled Lake School)

And the winners are...
TO BE ANNOUNCED MARCH 21, 2006

Event Description

• An Optimist International Program creating a NATIONAL COMPETITION (This is the longest-running program sponsored by Optimist International - est. 1928)
• Contestants compete in three levels (Local Club, District and International)
• Middle School level students (grades 6 - 8) prepare a 4 - 5 minute speech on specified topic to be judged by "non-optimist member" individuals from the local media, community and/or judicial system
• Optimist Club works with Middle School staff to promote participation and limited guidance to the Youth
• Winning Orations for Boys and Girls are submitted by our club to the District Competition
• District Winner is eligible for a $1,500 college scholarship funded by the Optimist International Foundation
• Students will be judged and rewarded at our March 20, 2001 breakfast meeting
• Event is covered by the local media each year
• The 2006 contest marked the 35th Oratorical Contest held by the Optimist Club of West Bloomfield

Judges Panel 2006:

TBA


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For more information about the Optimist Club,
contact the West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce at 248-626-3636.

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