At a time when the U.S. is fraught with negativity and pessimism, five Tecumseh students bucked the trend and lectured to a room of adults in the Tecumseh Middle School library on the topic “What the World Gains from Optimism?” as part of the 2017 Optimist International Oratorical Contest. The local contest was held on Jan. 25.
The young speakers drew ideas from their own lives, the experiences of famous icons, and the stories of inventions like duct tape and penicillin to illustrate the need for optimism today.
“The Optimist invented the plane and the Pessimist invented the parachute,” said Boys’ division gold medalist, Nick Wile (Gr. 7), quoting George Bernard Shaw. Wile’s speech pointed out several examples of how optimism has been a powerful motivator for change in individuals’ lives and society in general.
“We don’t see the world the way it is, we see the world the way we are,” quoted Girls’ division gold medalist, Estella Bucio (Gr. 8), in her speech highlighting how the experiences and optimism of people like Stephen Hawking and Hellen Keller could inspire her listeners to be more optimistic when facing challenges in their own lives.
Harley Adamson (Gr. 9) was the silver medalist and Tehya Ward (Gr. 7) was the bronze medalist in the Girls’ division. Jeremiah Fowler (Gr. 7) won the silver medal in the Boys’ division.
The Optimist International Oratorical Contest began in in 1928, and nearly 2,000 clubs participate in the program each year. Contestants must be 18 or younger. The New Carlisle competition was sponsored by the New Carlisle Breakfast Optimist Club. The club supports the community through various service projects throughout the year.
The students spent two months working together on crafting their speeches before presenting them in the local competition. Tecumseh Local Schools’ Assistant Superintendent, Paula Crew, served as the advisor of the group.
The students enjoyed preparing for and participating in the speech contest, saying they gained much more than public speaking skills.
Adamson appreciates how competing has helped her get out of her comfort zone, “You learn how to be comfortable speaking with many different people, which is something you have to do in life too,” she explains.
Ward and Fowler comment the contest helped improve their critical thinking and writing skills.
“You have to decide how you want to look at a topic. The perspective you pick can totally change the way you say something,” explains Ward. Fowler comments, “Writing a speech forces you to get past yourself and look hard at the topic in order to get your message across.”
The contest has an even more practical aspect for local winners Bucio and Wile. They now have the chance to go on and compete for up to $2,500 in scholarship money.
The students joke fondly that Crew’s insistence that they compete, coupled with an abundance of food at each work meeting, were also powerful motivators, “Mrs. Crew stalked you until you said you’d compete,” they laugh. “We always had food too...even a huge breakfast at Studenbaker’s!” says Wile, grinning.
Crew says she is proud of the contestants and looks forward to seeing the contest grow in the future.
“I’m ecstatic to be a part of this...it is by far one of the best parts of my job!” beams Crew, “Public speaking is hard, and it was wonderful seeing how (the students) grew and blossomed during the process. This contest gives them skills they will use for a lifetime, and I hope they come back and compete again next year...and maybe bring their friends along too!”