The Platteville Optimist Clubs recently held an oratorical contest based on a theme of “Why My Voice is Important.”

Saafia Masoom, a freshman at Platteville High School, won the oratorical contest sponsored by the Platteville Area Noon Optimist Club. Alaina Heenan, a fifth-grader at Platteville Middle School, won the oratorical contest sponsored by the Platteville Breakfast Optimist Club.

Both went on to compete at the Southern Wisconsin District contest at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells May 11.

The SWIS District contest had more than 200 students participate at the club levels with 14 contestants advancing to the district competition. After a heated competition that was one of the toughest contests in the last 10 years, the judges’ decision was not an easy one. One spectator said he was “blown away by the speeches of the top three contestants.”

Masoom earned a $2,500 scholarship by winning the contest.

“Saafia did a wonderful job presenting her speech,” said Howard Crofoot, SWIS District Secretary–Treasurer and Platteville Club member. “She was even better than she was at our local competition, if that is even possible.”

“The members of our Optimist Clubs have no doubt that both Saafia and Alaina have bright futures ahead of them,” said club President Christine Storlie,

The two clubs plan to hold the oratorical contest again next year, as well as the essay contest that is held each year in January. Students younger than 18 by December who have not graduated from high school can participate in both contests for an opportunity to win scholarships.