The 2008 oratorical contest came to it’s conclusion at the club level when the finals were held on March 14th.
We had a record turn out of 36 youth this year. This large number of 21 boys and 15 girls meant that preliminary contests had to be held. On final night, six boys and six girls gave absolutely brilliant performances of their speeches.
Coming in first for the girls was Athena Saldanha, an 8th grade student at Robert Frost Junior High in Schaumburg. The first place boys winner was Plainfield’s Miguel Hernandez, a fifth grade student.
Second place for the girls was won by Adrianna Ladner, a 7th grader at Des Plaines’ Chippewa Middle School. Second place for the boys was won by Aditya Narravula, a freshman at Schaumburg High School.
Third place for the girls was won by Namitha Abraham, a fifth grader at Plainfield Elementary in Des Plaines. Third place for the boys was won by Vishrut Dixit, a seventh grader from Thomas Dooley School in Schaumburg.
The first place winners will now compete in the regional oratorical event on April 12th in Sterling, and if the succeed there, at the finals on May 2nd in Bloomington.
On behalf of the Optimist Club of Des Plaines, I would like to extend my congratulations to all who participated. Your enthusiasm and dedication make this event a pleasure to be involved with. Keep watching this space for information on the 2008/2009 contest, and remember it is open to anyone under the age of 16 by December 31st, 2008.