The 2016 Optimist Clubs of Jackson Oratorical Contest Winners

The Optimist Club of Jackson and The Noon Optimist Club of Jackson are proud to present the winners of the Oratorical (Speech) Contest of 2016. Pictured from left to right is: Steven Sebaugh, oratorical chairman; Lauren McClanahan, winner; Cameran Tyler, winner; and Merideth Pobst, oratorical chairman. Lauren McClanahan will represent The Optimist Club of Jackson and Cameran Tyler will represent The Noon Optimist Club of Jackson in the next level of competition. Prizes were medals and $100 cash prizes for their education. The Oratorical Contest was started in 1928 and has become the longest running youth program sponsored by Optimist International. Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in this program each year. The contest is designed for teens to gain experience in public speaking and to provide them with the opportunity to win $2,500 in college scholarships at the district level and $22,500 in college scholarships at the Optimist International Oratorical World Championships. Each year in February the two Optimist Clubs in Jackson host an Oratorical Contest.