UPDATE! Click here to see the results of the recent contest along with photos
The Herndon Optimist Club is pleased to announce the 2009 Oratorical Contest will be held again this year in the Herndon Council Chambers on 765 Lynn Street at 7:00 PM on April 24, 2009. The Oratorical Contest has been held in Herndon for more than 30 years and is an opportunity for each participant to achieve skills in public speaking as well as grow as a person.
The contest is open to all girls and boys who are under 16 years of age as of December 31, 2009. Two separate contests will be held, one for girls and one for boys.
This year's Topic is: "For Me, Optimism is……."
Speeches are to be 5 minutes in length and follow the theme of this year’s topic. At the Local level the top three speakers in each contest will receive medallions. All speakers will receive a "Certificate of Appreciation" for their participation. The top speakers from each contest will participate in the Zone Contest on May 2 and if chosen as the best speaker at this level, will participate in the Virginia District Contest to be held in Lynchburg, VA on May 15 and 16. The winners in each contest will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
Click here to download the Planning Guide for your information. 
(Adobe Acrobat Format)
Click here to download the Contest Application. (Adobe Acrobat Format)
Interested individuals should contact the Contest Chair, Mary Burger at mary.b38@verizon.net no later than April 7. Should we receive more than ten applications for either or both contests, we will have a preliminary contest on April 17.