The Brighton Optimist Club (Brighton Michigan, Livingston County) conducted it's 32nd annual Oratorical Contest on Sunday March 21st, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Brighton. Contestants from both the Brighton and Howell School systems competed by presenting four minute speeches on the topic, "Cyber Communication - Progress or Problem."
Moderators Kate Lawrence and Kelly Thompson did a great job, and we want to thank our judges - Carol McMacken, Kathryn Hall, Rick Smith, CJ Teahan, Sue Burkhart, Austin Szelkowski, Tom Harris and Sheri Richards.
Oratorical Committee Chairperson Eunice Kallio presented the awards as follows:
Girls contestants Kate Yuhas, Lorryn Cruz, Rachel Wehrly, Rylie Haupt, Samantha Myers, Kristin Walker, and Tegan Chesney received Certificates of Participation. The 3rd place winner was Rebeckah Iafrate, 2nd place Loren Bendzinski, and 1st place winner Pauline Devlin.
Boys contestants were Mo Charawi, Jimmy Birney, Jeffrey Walker, Matt Pierce, Jacob Trisch, Jack Kosaian, and Beau Godwin. 3rd place boys winner was Andrew Tucker, 2nd palce was Keith Hutchins, and the 1st place wiiner was Harrison Jones.
The first through third place winners received gift cards and medallions. The first place winners will now progress to the Michigan District Region 3 competition on Saturday, April 17th at the Southfield Public Library. Regional winners then progress to the Michigan District Competition, where the students can win a $2,500 college scholarship.
Oratorical Contests are one on Optimist International's hallmark programs for youth, introducing them to public speaking and proper methods of verbal communication. We appreciate the educators that take time to work with their students and help them to prepare their speeches.
The Brighton Optimist Club is one of 3,100 clubs worldwide that conduct 65,000 service projects every year. For more information on the Brighton Optimist Club, see http://www.brightonoptimist.org/, email info@BrightonOptimist.org, or visit them any Thursday morning, 7:30 am, at the Bauery Restuarant at Mt. Brighton, 4141 Bauer Rd, 48116. First-time visitors and guests receive a complimentary breakfast.
Showing posts with label optimist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label optimist. Show all posts
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Clubs Are Planning Events
It's great to see so many Clubs planning so many events. Right now, clubs that planning Oratorical Contests are in full swing. They are also getting ready for Optimist International Junior Golf Qualifiers. This post will focus on the Optimist International Oratorical Contest.
What's an Oratorical Contest?
It's a structured public speaking opportunity for children 16 and under. They must prepare a 4-5 minutes speech on a topic announced by Optimist International. This year's topic is, "Cyber Communication: Progress or Problem?"
They are judged on poise, content, presentation, and overall effectiveness. Points can be deducted for long or short speeches, use of props, and a few other infractions of the official rules. All contestants receive a copy of the rules.
Club winners progress to a Regional contest. Regional winners (Michigan has five regions) compete in the Michigan District contest, where the boy & girl winners get a $2,500 scholarship and the opportunity to compete for Optimist International's $6,000 scholarship.
It's an amazing contest, and I am floored every year by the competitors. I remember myself at their age. There's no way that I would have been able to stand before a room of mostly strangers and speak as these kids do. It seems that every year, there is more ability and passion among the contestants. Many adults could learn a lesson about getting across a point in a short amount of time from these remarkable young people.
Contests are being held by clubs across Michigan in March. Find an Optimist Club near you and check one out. It's just one of the things that Optimists do for our youth. And you don't have to be a pie-in-the-sky, 'Pollyanna' type to be an Optimist. You just need a desire to serve your community and to help provide positive opportunities to the youth in your community. Even if you're a pessimist, don't worry. Our positive attitude is contagious!
My club, the Brighton Optimist Club, will have their Oratorical Contest on March 21, 2010.
What's an Oratorical Contest?
It's a structured public speaking opportunity for children 16 and under. They must prepare a 4-5 minutes speech on a topic announced by Optimist International. This year's topic is, "Cyber Communication: Progress or Problem?"
They are judged on poise, content, presentation, and overall effectiveness. Points can be deducted for long or short speeches, use of props, and a few other infractions of the official rules. All contestants receive a copy of the rules.
Club winners progress to a Regional contest. Regional winners (Michigan has five regions) compete in the Michigan District contest, where the boy & girl winners get a $2,500 scholarship and the opportunity to compete for Optimist International's $6,000 scholarship.
It's an amazing contest, and I am floored every year by the competitors. I remember myself at their age. There's no way that I would have been able to stand before a room of mostly strangers and speak as these kids do. It seems that every year, there is more ability and passion among the contestants. Many adults could learn a lesson about getting across a point in a short amount of time from these remarkable young people.
Contests are being held by clubs across Michigan in March. Find an Optimist Club near you and check one out. It's just one of the things that Optimists do for our youth. And you don't have to be a pie-in-the-sky, 'Pollyanna' type to be an Optimist. You just need a desire to serve your community and to help provide positive opportunities to the youth in your community. Even if you're a pessimist, don't worry. Our positive attitude is contagious!
My club, the Brighton Optimist Club, will have their Oratorical Contest on March 21, 2010.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
What's an Optimist?
A lot of folks feel that an 'optimist' (notice the small 'o') are pie-in-the-sky, unrealistic, see no evil kind of people. That's really not true. Optimism doesn't preclude realism, and expecting (or even hoping) for a favorable outcome isn't a weakness.
There's been a lot of study into positive thinking and the effects of positive attitudes and generally, being an optimist doesn't hurt, it helps.
On to the Optimist (with a capital 'O'). These are members of a club chartered under Optimist International and work to better their communities, focusing on the youth.
Clubs I know are doing everything imaginable to make their communities a better place to live, and to "Bring Out The Best In Kids". A variety of youth appreciation days, providing sporting, recreational or athletic events, offering scholarships, developing academic and leadership qualities in youth, cleaning roads, collecting food for the hungry, and the list goes on and on and on.
If you have an interest in supporting the youth of your community (after all, they are the future), or want to make your town a better place to live - find or start a local Optimist Club.
I consider myself an independent, politically, but last February (2009), I noticed this quote from President Obama, "You know, I am an eternal optimist. That doesn't mean I'm a sap." That's kind of how I feel about being an Optimist, too.
There's been a lot of study into positive thinking and the effects of positive attitudes and generally, being an optimist doesn't hurt, it helps.
On to the Optimist (with a capital 'O'). These are members of a club chartered under Optimist International and work to better their communities, focusing on the youth.
Clubs I know are doing everything imaginable to make their communities a better place to live, and to "Bring Out The Best In Kids". A variety of youth appreciation days, providing sporting, recreational or athletic events, offering scholarships, developing academic and leadership qualities in youth, cleaning roads, collecting food for the hungry, and the list goes on and on and on.
If you have an interest in supporting the youth of your community (after all, they are the future), or want to make your town a better place to live - find or start a local Optimist Club.
I consider myself an independent, politically, but last February (2009), I noticed this quote from President Obama, "You know, I am an eternal optimist. That doesn't mean I'm a sap." That's kind of how I feel about being an Optimist, too.
Optimism Abounds!
Yes, this is a blog about Optimism - and Optimists. You don't have to be a member of Optimist International, but it sure wouldn't hurt!
I hope to highlight stories and projects from Optimist Clubs on this blog, but posts that reflect optimism outside of the organization will not be turned away, either.
Optimist Clubs are civic groups that chartered under Optimist International. They work on projects within their community, but with a focus on the youth of the community. They believe in the 'Optimist Creed' and practice it in their daily lives.
You can find more information on Optimist International at http://www.optimist.org/, and the Michigan District Optimists at http://www.michiganoptimists.org/. There's probably a club near you - find it and get involved!
I hope to highlight stories and projects from Optimist Clubs on this blog, but posts that reflect optimism outside of the organization will not be turned away, either.
Optimist Clubs are civic groups that chartered under Optimist International. They work on projects within their community, but with a focus on the youth of the community. They believe in the 'Optimist Creed' and practice it in their daily lives.
You can find more information on Optimist International at http://www.optimist.org/, and the Michigan District Optimists at http://www.michiganoptimists.org/. There's probably a club near you - find it and get involved!
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