Zionsville Optimist Club

05/25/2026

Wonderful program. Wonderful people.

Nirdvaita Chandrana, a freshman at Zionsville Community High School (ZCHS), earned top honors at the Indiana North District Optimist Oratorical Contest held

05/23/2026

Nirdvaita Chandrana, a freshman at Zionsville Community High School (ZCHS), earned top honors at the Indiana North District Optimist Oratorical Contest held

05/22/2026

Zionsville, IN – May 22, 2026 – Nirdvaita Chandrana, a freshman at Zionsville Community High School (ZCHS), earned top honors at the Indiana North District Optimist Oratorical Contest held May 2nd in Monticello, Indiana.

The 2026 contest challenged students to speak on the theme, “The Moment I Realized I Belonged — My Definition of Community.”

As the Indiana North District winner, Nirdvaita will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Nirdvaita advanced to the district competition after winning both the local contest hosted by the Zionsville Optimist Club (ZOC) on March 24 at ZCHS and a regional competition in Dunkirk, IN. She is also recognized at ZCHS for her accomplishments in robotics, mathematics, and public speaking.

Nirdvaita now advances to the Optimist Oratorical World Championship, scheduled for July 16–17 at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Students competing at the championship level may earn scholarships totaling up to $22,500.

“All of the students who participated demonstrated remarkable preparation, confidence, and communication skills,” said Christy Gregory, 2026 Chair of the ZOC Oratorical Contest. “We are especially grateful for the partnership and support of the ZCHS Speech Department. Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Harmon help students develop the critical public speaking and leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives.”

The Zionsville Optimist Club has proudly participated in the Optimist Oratorical Contest for several decades. Optimist International is one of the world’s largest service club organizations, with more than 80,000 adult and youth members in nearly 3,000 clubs around the world. The Optimist Oratorical Contest remains one of the organization’s signature youth programs, with more than 2,000 clubs participating annually.

Optimists embrace the mission statement: “By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.”

To learn more about the Zionsville Optimist Club, visit zionsvilleoptimist.org. For information about Optimist International, visit optimist.org

Pictured in the Photo Below: (L to R) Kathy Nelson, Indiana North District Oratorical Chair, Nirdvaita Chandrana (2026 ZCHS Oratorical winner), Cara Fausett, ZOC President, Laura Harmon (ZCHS Speech Teacher)

05/11/2026

This Thursday (May 14th) morning is the Communication Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH). It’s held in the auditorium of Indiana School for the Deaf, located at 1200 E. 42nd St. - Indianapolis. The address is immediately north of the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Coffee and continental breakfast items are available at 9:00 AM, with the contest scheduled to start at 9:30. This is a joint contest with our neighbors - Indiana South District.

It’s exciting to announce individual Indiana Oratorical Clubs have 10 contestants this year! As a result, Indiana North & Indiana South will each provide a $2,500 scholarship to the winners! This is the same amount awarded to the district oratorical and essay winners.

Contestants may use sign language, an oral presentation, or a combination of both in order to compete. A certified interpreter will convey the information to the judges and audience.

Hopefully, your schedule allows you to be there. We need YOU to help make a great audience for these talented students. You will be blessed to see and hear their stories. If you have any questions, please contact CCDHH chairperson Kathy Nelson. She can be reached by email at [email protected].

Kids Up!

Jim Smith
Indiana Optimist District Governor
[email protected]
(317) 697-2521

02/06/2026

February 5 is Optimist Day!

02/04/2026

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/february/optimist-day-first-thursday-in-february

National Optimist Day is celebrated annually on the first Thursday of February. For 2026, it is tomorrow Thursday, February 5.

The day is dedicated to recognizing the power of positive thinking and the contributions of Optimist International volunteers who work to bring out the best in youth and their communities.

It is a good day to recite The Optimist Creed. The Creed is a set of ten tenets originally written by Christian D. Larson in 1912 under the title "Promise Yourself". It was officially adopted as the manifesto of Optimist International in 1922.

12/17/2025

We're so proud of our long time member, Joe Alford, who was inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame!

Thank you Joe, not just for your service but always going above and beyond!

Longtime Zionsville resident and Vietnam War veteran Joseph Alford was among 17 Hoosiers inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame in November. The statewide nonprofit, which maintains a veterans memorial on the Fort Ben campus, honors a select group of veterans each year for militar

09/27/2025

The Zionsville Optimist Club is so thankful to our generous community who walked, ran, and supported Hit the Bricks this year. It was a wonderful day!

09/26/2025

Come see us at Runners Forum tonight pick up your packet for Hit the Bricks. You can also still register. Weather looks perfect for tomorrow morning.

09/23/2025

Don't forget the ever popular raffle after the HIT-THE-BRICKS 5K & 3K THIS Saturday!! 5K leads off at 8:00 AM at Zionsville's Town Hall, 1100 W Oak Street.

One of the popular items is this 21" Fire Pit ( with wood!) donated by Chris Norman, Store Director and the great team at the Zionsville/Whitestown LOWES. Fall is here!

Register now to run, walk or stroll and have your number drawn to win! https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Zionsville/HitTheBricks