The Herndon Optimist Club, under the chairmanship of Mary Burger and Susan Michaely, held its annual Oratorical Contest in the Herndon Town Council Chambers on the evening of April 24, 2009. Ten contestants participated, all from St. Joseph’s School. The Topic this year was "To me, Optimism is….".

First Place was awarded to Sarah Betti who spoke enthusiastically on the theme of never giving up hope and tying in such historic figures as Christopher Columbus and Helen Keller to demonstrate their tenacity and powerful optimism. Second Place was awarded to Kaitlyn Ernstmann and Third Place to Elizabeth McNulty.

Betty Graves, retired English Teacher from Herndon High School; Barbara Glakas, Fairfax County High School Teacher; and Vice Mayor Connie Hutchison, Executive Director of the Herndon Dulles Visitor’s Center, were the Contest Judges. Rick Thoesen, President of the Club, was Emcee for the evening. Contest support was also provided by Jeff Delmontague and George Price.

The Contest will be aired on HCTV and can be purchased from the station by contacting the organization.

Contest participants and coaches. From left to right; first row: Rhys Bergeron, Katie Brough, Sarah Betti, Kaitlyn Ernstmann, Rachel Delmontague, Maddie Kulick; second row; Mary Burger, Chair, Katie Harrington, Abby Spires, Sarah Tierney, Elizabeth McNulty.

Contest participants and coaches. From left to right; first row: Rhys Bergeron, Katie Brough, Sarah Betti, Kaitlyn Ernstmann, Rachel Delmontague, Maddie Kulick, Darlene Backus; second row; Joan Cargill, Katie Harrington, Abby Spires, Sarah Tierney, Elizabeth McNulty, Kathy Daughtry.