Optimist Oratorical Contest winners listed

VW Optimist Club information

The Optimist Club of Van Wert held its annual oratorical contest this past Sunday at Community Health Professionals in Van Wert with the topic “How My Optimism Will Help Me Press On to the Greater Achievements of the Future.”

Noah Miller won first place in the competition for boys, while Katelyn Welch placed first in the girls’ contest. Each will receive a gold medallion, $200 prize money and advance to the zone competition next month in Delphos with the chance to advance further to regional and district Optimist contests.

Second place winners Calahan Wolfrum and Trinity Welch will receive silver medallions, while third place contestants, Travis Lichtensteiger and Samantha Hopkins, will receive bronze medallions.

Marshall Healey and Wade Healey placed in fourth and fifth in the boys’ contest, while Lana Carey finished fourth in the girls’ competition.

The top three boys and girls finalists will present their speeches at the Optimist Club’s weekly meeting at noon Thursday, March 19, at Willow Bend Country Club.

The Oratorical Contest is longest-running program sponsored by Optimist International and one of several local programs for youth provided by the Optimist Club of Van Wert. For more information call Greg Yinger, club president, at 567.259.5277.