Trojans place in Optimist Club oratorical contest
From left to right: Blake Mitchell, Leah Dowdy, Staley Lyle, Derrick Dallas, Pragya Chaturvedi, Deashia Wilson, Hannah Vipperman, and Holly Lyle.
On Tuesday, April 10th, four THS students competed in the Optimist Club oratorical contest and brought home three awards. There were eight contestants total, four from THS, and five contestants were awarded trophies and scholarship money.
Blake Mitchell, Leah Dowdy, Pragya Chaturvedi, and Derrick Dallas all represented Tunstall well in Tuesday night’s competition.
Ethan Dorton, president of the Optimist Club, notified local teachers of the scholarship so that they might transfer the message to their students. After applying, contestants were notified by Vanessa Scarce, Oratorical Contest Program Director, on when they needed to be at the contest and what the rules would be.
Upon completing an application, contestants were required to write a four to five minute speech on the the topic, “Where are my roots of Optimism?” Contestants were not allowed to reveal their names or schools beforehand in order to prevent bias amongst the judges.
The top five contestants were awarded trophies and scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
Junior Pragya Chaturvedi was awarded fourth place with a scholarship of $1,000.
“I was really nervous at first because it was my first time and I had to go first. After I started, though, I calmed down and loved the contest,” said Chaturvedi.
Senior Leah Dowdy brought home third place with a scholarship of $2,000, and senior Blake Mitchell placed first and was awarded a scholarship for $3,000.
The Optimist Club has been a presence in the community since it was chartered in 1954. They also sponsor community events such as the Danville Optimist Football League and Cheerleading with the Parks and Rec and little league baseball teams. They also sponsor one Graduate of Merit scholarship in Danville City and Pittsylvania County.
Information for the Optimist Club Oratorical Contest is usually released every year around February. The contest is held every year around the month of April and is open to all 9th-12th graders under the age of 19. All rules and requirements will be listed on the application.
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Blake Mitchell is a THS senior and this is his first year writing for the Trojan Messenger. He is the president of the Interact Club and Drum Major of...
