Greensburg, Indiana – GCHS Junior, Chloe Dick recently won the Greensburg Optimist
Club’s Oratorical Contest on Monday, February 24. The theme of the 4-5 minute
original speech was “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times.” The
contest was open to all youth in Decatur County. This year’s event had ten contestants
including 2nd place finisher Ameliah Colin and 3rd place finisher Gabby Miller.
Chloe will be awarded $200 for the honor. In addition, Chloe and Ameliah will be
sent to the regional level where they will compete against winners from other
Optimist Clubs in the area and have a chance to win a scholarship, and then possibly
onto the Optimist International World Championship for a chance to win an additional
$5,000 or up to another $15,000 scholarship.
“Our contestants dug deep, connected to the theme, and showed such bravery
as they shared that connection with the audience.” Club Contest Chair Sonja
Kolkmeier shared. “ We have a lot to learn by the strength and resiliency of our
youth!”
The Optimist Club of Greensburg has been participating in the Optimist
Oratorical Contest for many years and plays an active role with youth in our
community. Congratulations on a job well done to Charles Cornett, Jada Gault,
Isabella Harrison, Mackenzie Lohrum, Rylee O’Mara, Erica Scheidler, and Wade
Schutte. In addition, thank you to Bob Blankman for being the evening’s emcee,
Amy Born, Tina Hoeing, and Douglas Orr for judging. Additionally, thank you to
Dustin Smith for running the lights and sound and the Greensburg Community
High School’s Junior Optimist Club for their behind the scenes assistance.
Optimist International is one of the world’s largest service club organizations with
over 80,000 adult and youth members in almost 3,000 clubs in the United States,
Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico and throughout the world. The Optimist
Oratorical Contest is one of the organization’s most popular programs, with more
than 2,000 clubs participating annually. Carrying the motto “Bringing Out the Best in
Youth, in our Communities, and in Ourselves,” Optimists conduct positive service
projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more
about Optimist International, please call (314) 371-6000 or visit the organization’s
website at www.optimist.org. The Greensburg Optimist Club meets every Thursday
morning starting at 6:30 am at the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen. All are welcomed.
