Contests and Awards
Essay Contests and Oratorical Competitions
In addition to the various things we do each year to raise funds to support children and youth in our community, the Optimist Club of Oakville has many annual programs and contests we run for youth in our community. We also do many programs, projects and events that are unique to our Club and our JOI Club. Learn more about Optimist Clubs and Optimist International by watching this series of online videos.
If you are an Optimist or JOI member, please access our online Calendar to see when meetings and events are scheduled.Here is the link to our Online Calendar.
Many of the programs are also run by most Optimist Clubs internationally and some are unique to our club. These programs and projects include:
Below there is a brief description of each of these annual programs with a link to a page for more detailed information. We also have Club Projects that are Club specific listed below.
Click here so you can also view some testimonials from organizations we support as well as winners of competitions and bursaries.
If you are an Optimist or JOI member, please access our online Calendar to see when meetings and events are scheduled.Here is the link to our Online Calendar.
Many of the programs are also run by most Optimist Clubs internationally and some are unique to our club. These programs and projects include:
- Essay Contest
- Oratorical Contest
- Youth Appreciation Awards
- Art Contest
- Junior Optimist Club
Below there is a brief description of each of these annual programs with a link to a page for more detailed information. We also have Club Projects that are Club specific listed below.
Click here so you can also view some testimonials from organizations we support as well as winners of competitions and bursaries.
Essay Contests and Oratorical Competitions
Essay Contest
Competition begins at the local Optimist Club level, and continues through the Zone, District, Regional, and finally International levels, with cash prizes and scholarships along the way.
The competition provides youth with the opportunity to express themselves and gain confidence in their abilities to express themselves and has been a focus for the Optimist Club since its inception. Optimist Clubs have hosted Oratorical Contests since 1928.
Oratorical Competition
The Optimist Club of Hamilton is pleased to host an annual Oratorical Competition. The topic for the 2025/2026 Oratorical Contest will be “The Moment I Realized I Belonged- My Definition of Community ” .
The competition provides youth with the opportunity to express themselves and gain confidence in their abilities to express themselves and has been a focus for the Optimist Club since its inception. Optimist Clubs have hosted Oratorical Contests since 1928.
Starting in 2016, Optimist International has partnered with St. Louis University to conduct the Optimist Oratorical World Championships, which gives students the opportunity to receive further scholarships. Competition begins at the local Optimist Club level. Optimist Club of Hamilton will be awarding First Place $300, Second Place $200.00 and Third Place $100.00., and continues through the Zone, District, Regional, and finally International levels, with cash prizes and scholarships awarded at most levels. The winner of the International Competition will accumulate scholarships totaling $22,500.00! . The deadline to submit an Oratorical Contest application to the Optimist Club of Hamilton to Brenda Accadia accadia.bj@gmail.com by March 2, 2026.
. Please note all entrants must be under 19 years of age (as of October 1, 2025) and have not yet graduated from high school.
Youth Appreciation Awards
Every year, we select a rotation of four schools in Hamilton to request the school to nominate their best role model student, who goes above and beyond for their community. The recipients, families and school counselors are invited to a presentation night with the entire membership of our club to recognize their achievements. Each will receive a $200.00 and a gift bag and certificate.