Optimist Programs
OI Scholarship Oratorical Contest
Each year we participate with Optimist International in supporting an Oratorical Contest. Our club winner advances to a Zone Contest. The winner of the Zone Contest advances to the NM-WT District Contest. The winner of the District Contest advances to Regional. The winner of then advances to the Optimist International World Oratorical Contest.
Benefits
Oratorical Topic 2026-2027
- District Champion Scholarship $2500
- Regional Champion Scholarship $7500
- World Champion Scholarship $12,500
- How My Actions Strengthen Those Around Me
Kids Speak OutThe ‘Kids Speak Out’ program is broadening its scope to engage children in our primary/preparatory and elementary schools to compete with their fellow students and importantly with children of other schools across the Zones and District. This Club and District option will be for students up to and including age 11, effective for the 2026-27 year.
The desired outcome of this competition is to give the competitors the opportunity to compete at different levels: school, club, zone … thereby gaining experience and confidence in preparation for the Oratorical Contest at the higher level.
Although contestants with the highest scores are selected … emphasis should be placed on making all contestants feel like winners for having participated.
The ‘Kids Speak Out’ topic will be a variation of the Oratorical Contest topic.
OI Scholarship Essay Contest
Each year we participate with Optimist International in supporting an Oratorical Contest. Our club winner advances to a Zone Contest. The winner of the Zone Contest advances to the NM-WT District Contest.
Benefits
EssayTopic 2026-2027
- Club level winner $100
- District Winner $2500
- Finding My Voice in a World Full of Noise
Childhood Cancer Campaign
On average, more than 290 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer every week. About 90% of children with cancer live in low- and middle-income circumstances where they lack access to adequate diagnosis and treatment. Most of these children will die from their disease. The Childhood Cancer Campaign through Optimist International provides funding for childhood cancer research.
Benefits
- Community Involvement
- Awareness
- Support
Ronald McDonald House Pull Tabs
Collecting pull tabs is a simple and easy way to support the House! Simply remove the tab off your can, save them in a disposable container, and when you have a large amount, drop them off at our House.
Ronald McDonald is an Official Partner of Optimist International.
Ronald McDonald is an Official Partner of Optimist International.
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) The Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing empowers young people who are deaf or hard of hearing to share their voices, ideas, and experiences with their communities. By speaking or signing before an audience, participants build confidence, leadership, and communication skills that can only be developed through real-world presentation opportunities.
Modeled after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, this unique program gives hearing-impaired youth the opportunity to compete through either spoken presentations or sign language. In addition to showcasing their talents and perspectives, participants can earn scholarship opportunities, with the Optimist International Foundation providing a $2,500 scholarship to all qualifying Districts that meet the minimum participation requirements.
Topic: 2026-2027 Topic: “How My Actions Strengthen Those Around Me”
Topic: 2026-2027 Topic: “How My Actions Strengthen Those Around Me”
Optimist Junior GolfThe Optimist Junior Golf Program is an exciting and unique junior golf program for ages 10-18One of the largest and well-renowned junior golf tournaments in the world. In order to play in the Championship, golfers must meet one of the qualifying methods (see how to qualify). Optimist Districts conduct official qualifying tournaments for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship. These qualifying tournaments are organized by Optimist Clubs and their volunteers and are overseen by a District Chairperson. A limited number of golfers in each age division qualify for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship.
Visual Arts CompetitionThis exciting competition is designed to encourage and celebrate youth visual art skills and gives the youth we serve another outlet for their creativity!
Artist must be age eleven or lower as of October 1, 2026. There are two age divisions: up to 7 years of age and 8-11 years of age. Art for notecards will be selected from each age division, proportionate to number of entries. Limit one entry per artist.
Clubs or schools may provide awards to participants and winners at the local level. 6. Artwork must be created on 11" wide x 8.5" high paper or construction paper. The artist's name should be written lightly on the back of the artwork.
At the International level, 12 winners will receive a $150 monetary award; the winner of the cover will receive an additional $100 monetary award.
Artist must be age eleven or lower as of October 1, 2026. There are two age divisions: up to 7 years of age and 8-11 years of age. Art for notecards will be selected from each age division, proportionate to number of entries. Limit one entry per artist.
Clubs or schools may provide awards to participants and winners at the local level. 6. Artwork must be created on 11" wide x 8.5" high paper or construction paper. The artist's name should be written lightly on the back of the artwork.
At the International level, 12 winners will receive a $150 monetary award; the winner of the cover will receive an additional $100 monetary award.
Box Tops for EducationHave you ever thought about how you could turn your everyday grocery shopping into a way to support schools? Well, with the Box Tops for Education™ app, that's exactly what you can do! This app is an absolute game-changer for parents, teachers, and schools looking to raise funds effortlessly.
The app's primary function is to allow users to scan their grocery receipts to earn money for their chosen school. It's as easy as snapping a photo! You just grab your receipt after a shopping trip, open the app, and hit the scan button. The app then automatically detects eligible items and credits your school's account. It's like magic!
Getting started with the app is a breeze. After downloading, you quickly set up an account and select the school you wish to support.
The app's primary function is to allow users to scan their grocery receipts to earn money for their chosen school. It's as easy as snapping a photo! You just grab your receipt after a shopping trip, open the app, and hit the scan button. The app then automatically detects eligible items and credits your school's account. It's like magic!
Getting started with the app is a breeze. After downloading, you quickly set up an account and select the school you wish to support.
Youth AppreciationSince 1957, Optimist Clubs have recognized youth for their talents in the arts, athletics, academics, and for contributions to community. The Youth Appreciation community activity provides the perfect opportunity for your Club to recognize youth and involve them in Optimist events. This is the most popular Optimist International program with more than 2,000 Clubs participating each year.
Respect for LawIn July 1965, a discussion between Past Optimist International President Carl Bowen and former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover resulted in the birth of the Respect for Law program. This is the fourth most popular program with more than 1,500 Clubs participating each year. Over a quarter of a million law enforcement officers honored by thousands of Optimist Clubs around the world over 50 years.