Submit your entries for the Optimist International Essay and Oratorical contests! Please see the application forms on GreatFallsOptimistVA.org >Events>Scholarship Programs.
The Essay topic is “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me.” Essays are due to GreatFallsOptimistVA@gmail.com and email4sheela@gmail.com by February 4, 2026.
The Oratorical Contest topic is “The Moment I Realized I Belonged—My Definition of Community.” The contest is at the Schoolhouse in Great Falls on April 9, 2025 starting at 6 pm where contestants will present their speech. Please contact Sheela at 703.624.4922 by March 30th to participate. These opportunities provide a venue for young people to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which we live, or to gain valuable public speaking experience! The complete set of Official Rules can be found on www.optimist.org.