Oratorical Competition
Annual Oratorical Contest (2026)
Thirteen Oakville students presented speeches in the Oakville Optimist Oratorical contest Weds March 11th at Film.ca. Thank you to Film.ca for donating the auditorium, Herb Goodhoofd for managing the Oratorical Event, our judges Chris Alexiou, Carrol Verasamy and Sagar Bhadrachalam, our volunteers, Carilyn McNaught, John Sweeney, Keith Garton, Jeannie Garton, Sandra Gabriele and Peter Maclean.
It was wonderful to hear from these thirteen outstanding young people as they shared “The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community”.
Cheques were presented to our 3 winning youth.
- Khadjia Fatima
- Masooma Rizvi
- Hayley Zanatta
Picture on the right :Optimist President John Sweeney, 3rd place Haley Zanatta , 2nd Place Masooma Rizvi, 1 st Place Khadjia Fatima, rear Keith Garton Board, Herb Goodhoofd Oratorical Chair
Oratorical Competition2026
Our Judges
Sagar Bhadrachalam , Carol Versamy and Chris Alexiou
Oratorical Competition2026
Optimist members and participants
Oratorical Competition2026
Special thanks to Jeff Knoll and the Film.ca crew for providing such an outstanding venue and supporting local youth.
left to Right: Herb Goodhoofd contest chair, John Sweeney Optimist club President, Jeff Knoll Film.ca and Keith Garton board member.
Annual Oratorical Contest 2026
Registration is now closed as we have reached our maximum
The Optimist Club of Oakville sponsors an annual Oratorical Contest in March of each year.
Entries and Speeches: Fifteen applications will be accepted to compete in the oratorical contest.
Topic: “The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community”
The Optimist Club of Oakville sponsors an annual Oratorical Contest in March of each year.
The Oratorical Competition for Optimist International begins at the local club level.
Entries and Speeches: Fifteen applications will be accepted to compete in the oratorical contest.
Contestants are to present a 4 - 5 minute speech on this topic. Time limits are in effect - less than 4 minutes is a disqualification; points are deducted if the speech is more than 5 minutes.
1. Read the official contest rules before you proceed to the application. (see link below)
Contest rules
Contest rules
2. The completed application form and a copy of the contestant’s birth certificate and/or passport must be submitted using the link below.
registration is closed
Competition Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:30 pm
3. A copy of the speech must be submitted online before the contest deadline of Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
An acknowledgement and confirmation of entry and submission of speech will be emailed on receipt of the application.
Competition Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:30 pm
Location: Film.ca theater, 171 Speers Road, Oakville
Required Documents: Completed application form and copy of speech.
Entry Age: Contestants must be under 19 years of age as of October 1, 2025 and not have graduated from high school.
Prizes: 1st place $500, 2nd place $350, 3rd Place $150
Further competition: The top two contestants will represent Oakville at the Zone competition, with the opportunity to advance to the District level. At the District level, the top three contestants will be awarded scholarships in the amounts of $2500, $1500, and $1000.
IMPORTANT INFO: There is also the opportunity for the winner of the District level to compete at the Regionals and World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. The Regional winners will receive Scholarships of $5000 and Scholarships in the amount of $15,000, $10,000, and $5,000 will be given to the first, second, and third place winners of the World Championships.
Required Documents: Completed application form and copy of speech.
Entry Age: Contestants must be under 19 years of age as of October 1, 2025 and not have graduated from high school.
Prizes: 1st place $500, 2nd place $350, 3rd Place $150
Further competition: The top two contestants will represent Oakville at the Zone competition, with the opportunity to advance to the District level. At the District level, the top three contestants will be awarded scholarships in the amounts of $2500, $1500, and $1000.