OPTIMIST ORATORICAL CONTEST TO BE HELD FOR MARBLE HILL YOUTH

The Optimist Club of Marble Hill is proud to announce the annual Optimist International Oratorical Contest for local youth under the age of 16. This year's contest is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 22 at Meadow Heights school.

The contest is conducted annually by the local Optimist Club as well as Optimist Clubs all over the world. The official subject of this year's contest is "Now is the Time." Contestants must speak on the subject between four and five minutes. Scoring is based on personal qualities, material organization, delivery, presentation and overall effectiveness.

First, second and runner-up winners in each division will be awarded medallions. In addition, first-place winners will be eligible for further competition in the zone and district competitions with the top prize being $1,500 scholarship. More than $150,000 in scholarships is awarded annually to oratorical contest winners by the Optimist International Foundations in the U.S. and Canada.

Optimist International is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations, with more than 150,000 members in 4,000 Optimist Clubs in the U.S., Canada and all other nations. Carrying the motto, "Friend of Youth," Optimist Clubs conduct service projects which reach five million young people each year.

For more information on the contest, please contact Tom Houchins at 238-2109 or 238-4124.