Purpose
This contest is designed to offer a chance for young people who are deaf or hard of hearing to present their thoughts on a topic in a public forum. This experience helps to develop the skills and confidence to present in sign or orally to a large audience. The program also provides a valuable opportunity to compete for a $1,500 college scholarship. Nearly 500 clubs and 45 districts sponsor this wonderful program each year!
How to Enter
Students make a 4-5 minute presentation on a preassigned topic. The presentations are judged at the club level and district level. Some districts, due to participation levels, conduct a single district contest without club level contests preceding the event.
Eligibility
The contest is open to young people through grade 12 in the United States and Canada, to CEGEP in Quebec and grade 13 in the Caribbean, who have a hearing loss of at least 40db (certified by an Audiologist)* and educated in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. Students attending either public school or schools are eligible to enter if criteria are met.
*A copy of a 'certified' audiogram must be included in documentation sent to Optimist International
Topic for 2008-2009 year:
"For me, Optimism is...."
Presentation Style
Students may use sign language, an oral presentation or a combination of both to compete. Both styles are judged using the same criteria.
Length of presentation
The presentation must be at least 4 minutes, but no longer than 5 minutes. (Out of range receives penalty points.)
Prizes
Club level- medallion Clubs are now allowed to
give monetary awards of up to $500 for the
CCDHH contest in addition to the official
medallions. The club level awards may be
given in the form of a scholarship, savings bond
or cash prize but are completely discretionary.
All District and International Level scholarships
will remain the same.
District level - district finalist and district winner
plaques are given and a $1,500 scholarship is
awarded to the district boy or girl winner.
Optimist International has specified a minimum of three contestants must compete at District
level to qualify the contest for the scholarship
Interpreters
A certified interpreter is provided by the sponsoring club/district at all competitions. They must be certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or a similarly recognized organization. Students may choose to provide their own interpreter, which is fine as long as they are certified. A contestant should never be required to provide his or her own interpreter.
Timekeeper
This position can be held by an Optimist member. There are no specific requirements for this position. Their duties include recording the time of the presentation and failure to announce the topic. The timekeeper totals all participants' deductions and turns the form in to the contest chair.
Criteria for Judges
Three judges who are not acquainted with the presenters are required. Judges must be able to evaluate the presentation style of all contestants with our without the assistance of an interpreter. Interpreters must be able to convey the information of the contestant to the judges. Judges should have expertise working with young people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Securing Judges
Potential judges must be able to judge students who are signing and oralizing with or without the assistance of an interpreter. Be sure to provide each judge with a copy of the contest rules to review.
Judging the Presentations
The club chair supplies each judge with a judging form and copy of the rules. Judges should not compare scores or their impressions of the presentations. They must work independently. Only the club chair compiling the totals is permitted to see scores. Scores are confidential.
Judges should be given a certificate of appreciation or other gift for their efforts. Several appropriate items are available from Shumsky Enterprises or the Canadian Service Centre. Be sure to invite them to your next club meeting !
The Kansas School for the Deaf will hold the Finals on a date to be announced..
