Optimist Club of Littleton

Oratorical Contest

The Optimist Club of Littleton is again participating in the annual Optimist International Oratorical Contest. The topic for the Oratorical Contest for the 2023-2024 school year is How to change the World with Optimism.

Since its start in 1928, the Optimist Oratorical Contest has become the longest-running contest sponsored by Optimist International. This is a combined gender contest limited to the first 10 applicants. Our contest will be held on Wednesday 3/13/2024 at East Event Center (Formerly East Elementary) from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for middle school and high school students to prepare a speech and deliver it to a supporting audience of family, friends and our judges, and to compete for cash awards.

The 1st place winner will receive $500 plus a gold medal, the 2nd place winner will receive $250 and a silver medal, and 3rd place winner will be awarded $125 and a bronze medal. Our top two winners will go on to compete in the regional round. That winner will have the opportunity to compete at the district level for up to a $2500 scholarship. District winners will have the chance to compete for an additional $20,000 college scholarships at world championships in St. Louis.

The contest is designed for youths to gain experience in public speaking and to provide them the opportunity to compete for a college scholarship. Interested students should prepare a 4- to 5-minute speech on the assigned topic to be presented at our club’s contest. The contest is open to students who have not reach the age of 19 by October 1, 2023. There is no minimum age.

If you are interested in competing in this year’s contest, please contact Club Chair Darrell Schulte at djschulte17@gmail.com and submit the completed applications to Darrell as soon as possible. Slots will fill up quickly. You can also go online for information and an application at optimist web site 23-24_Oratorical_Application.pdf

Essay Contest

The Optimist Club of Littleton is again participating in the annual Optimist International Essay Contest. Cash prizes for the 2023-2024 school year competition will be $500 for the first place winning essay, $250 for second-place and $100 for third-place. The club's first place essay will be entered in district competition for a $2,500 college scholarship. The topic for the contest this year is: "Optimism: How it Connects Us.” The contest is open for youth under the age of 19 as of October 1st, 2023, and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, and not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. There is no minimum age.

The contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give youths the opportunity to share opinions about the world in which they live, encompassing a student's personal experiences, their hopes for the future, or a more historical perspective. Students may also contact their school's journalism or language arts teachers or principal's office for information about the contest. Essays need to be received with required signatures by January 31 at 2445 W. Davies Ave., Littleton, 80120, or by email at stpatterson3@gmail.com.

Students can access the contest rules and the application form at 23-24_Essay_Application.pdf

Village Pre School --- Mittens and Gloves

Many children attend a pre-school at Village while their parents are in classes there. They often come from needy families. Each winter the club collects gloves and mittens. Then our members – often with their spouses – get together and sew simple fleece hats for the children.

Club members take these to the pre-school one morning in the cold of winter and usually read the class a story in addition to giving them the hats and mittens.

Youth Appreciation Day

The Youth Appreciation program recognizes local youth for their efforts in the arts, athletics, academics and community service work. Youth Appreciation is the perfect opportunity for Optimists to make a difference in their community and demonstrate the Optimists’ commitment to young people. Youth Appreciation projects are intended to make children feel important and highlight their positive contributions to society. Since 1956, this program has given Optimist Clubs the occasion to work with youth toward the common goals of education, career development, physical well-being and community service. This is the most popular Optimist International program with more than 2,000 Clubs participating each year.

Tutoring and Mentoring

A number of our club members volunteer to be a mentor for an individual student through the entire school year. Other members volunteer to help individual students as tutors in what has become the Homework Club. Additional volunteers serve as storytellers in elementary schools through an organization known as Spellbinders.

Meals-on-Wheels

Twice a week, every week throughout the year, several club teams take turns delivering hot lunches to many senior residents in the Littleton Housing Authority apartments Allyson Court and Bradley House.

Respect for Law Week

In May, George Ackerman invites deserving law enforcement professionals from the community to be recognized and honored at one of our weekly breakfasts.

International Junior Golf Championships

Every year more than 200 boys and girls compete in Colorado/Wyoming District qualifying golf tournament. The best of the golfers advance to the OI Junior Golf Championships usually held in Florida.

Brats and Hotdogs Raising Funds : Western Welcome Week

The club has a booth each summer during Western Welcome Week parade downtown Littleton. We sell brats, hotdogs, chips and soft drinks to raise funds for our youth projects. Plus we shout and wave at the parade floats and tell funny stories. Great organization builder.

Pride in America (Flag) Program

For exactly 50 years the club has been posting American flags in front of businesses and offices in downtown Littleton on about ten holidays per year. This project gives the city a patriotic appearance on the designated days and serves as a fund-raising activity. Currently, about 70 subscribers make an annual contribution to the club to participate in the program. Teams of two or three club members set up flags early in the morning and pick them up in the evening. All proceeds go to the support of the club’s youth and community activities.