This essay contest is sponsored by Optimist Club International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live in. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!

Apply here

The 2025 Essay Contest Winner is Ella Sloan!

Congratulations Ella!

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Contest

This contest offers an opportunity for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to present their thoughts in the community, gaining skills, which can only come from signing or speaking to a large audience. Patterned after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the Communication Contest For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers hearing impaired youth the chance to compete in speech or sign language.

Awards: $500 at the Club level • $2,500 at the District level (scholarship)

Eligibility: The contest is open to young people through grade 12 in the United States and Canada, to CEGEP in Québec and grade 13 in the Caribbean, who are educated in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean.

Requirements: The students must 1) submit the results of an audiogram completed no longer than 24 months prior to the date of the contest by a qualified audiologist 2) be certified to have an uncorrected hearing loss of 40 decibels or more, which must be supported by the audiogram in order to be eligible to compete (Students with permanent correction should compete in the Optimist International Oratorical contest)

Fill out Deaf and Hard of Hearing contest application and send to frederickoptimistclub@gmail.com. Applications must be submitted by TBD.

2025/2026 Oratorical Contest Application

The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada. There is no minimum age.

Interested youth should prepare a 4 to 5 minute speech on the assigned topic to be presented.

District Scholarships:

First Place: $2,500 • Second Place: $1,500 • Third Place: $1,000 with a chance to win up to $22,500 at the World Championships level

Fill out oratorical contest application and send to frederickoptimistclub@gmail.com. Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2026.