This contest offers a fun opportunity for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to present their thoughts in the community, gaining skills which can only come from signing or speaking to a large audience.

As the population gets older a lot of us are wearing hearing aids to be able to continue with as normal a hearing life as possible. But for those who have had accidents or illness that took their hearing, it becomes a struggle just to be able to hear even the most soft spoken word. Some do not ever hear and sign language is the norm for communication. This contest gives a great lesson in learning and what it is to be hearing impaired or deaf. Our children who participate in this contest give all they have and the emotion level is a learning experience for those who have normal hearing. 

The Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be held at the third District meeting in Cookeville. Please do not miss this important function of the Tennessee District. If you have never attended this contest, I implore you to do so. You will not be disappointed as the youth who attend are outstanding in what they can do. Take the time to thank our contestants who make the journey across the state to give you something special to talk about when you go back to your clubs. Who knows, you just might hear something new.

Patterned after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the Communication Contest For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers hearing impaired youth the chance to compete in speech or sign language. The Tennessee District was the first district to have a CCDHH contest. Lets keep the tradition going and support these wonderful kids.

The Optimist International Foundation funds a $1,500 scholarship to any district which meets the minimum participation criteria. Nearly 300 clubs are actively involved with this program each year.

2008-09 Topic: "For Me, Optimism is..."
When: District Deadline to OI is June 15, 2009
Who: Youth through grade 12 in the United States and Canada, to CEGEP in Quebec and grade 13 in the Caribbean. Students must be certified to have a hearing loss of 40 decibels or more, which must be supported by the audiogram in order to be eligible to compete.
How to Enter: Contact your local Optimist Club
District Chair: John Hurt
Click here for Contest Rules & Application

 
                       2007 District Contestants
Teacher Teresa Wilson, winners Carmen Jackson and Carloss Howard and co-chair John Hurt.

Getting Started

The Optimist International Program Guide was mailed to the President-Designate listed on your Club Officer Elect Report.

The OI website has information available at www.optimist.org and application forms and posters are available from Shumpsky at www.optimiststuff.com.

The club program planning guide, district program planning guide and website contains information on Eligibility, Topic, Length, Prizes, Deadlines, Criteria for Judges, Judging the Essays, Getting the Contest Started in your Community, Official Rules, Rules for Conducting the Contest, and an Application.

Press Releases
Before the event (pdf) or (doc)
After the event (pdf) or (doc)
After district event (pdf) or (doc)

Scheduling

The Zone Contest entries must be submitted to the Lt. Governor by Jan. 30, 2008 . Therefore your club deadline needs to allow time to submit your club winner’s information to the Lt. Governor. If your club is the only competitor in your Zone the club winner will advance to the Regional contest that will be run by one of the local Lt. Governors. The Regional winners will compete at the District Contest at the May District Conference.