Culp wins two levels of Optimist Oratorical Contest

Optimist Oratoricle Contest winners
Congratulating the Warsaw Noon Optimist Oratorical and Essay Contest winner Jillian Culp are, from left, Bill Cook, Warsaw Noon Optimist member; Trish Nichols, Optimist Oratorical Contest Chair, Jillian Culp, first place; Emilia Samaranayke, second place, and Paul Findley, Warsaw Morning Optimist Club president.

Jillian Culp, a senior at Whitko Junior Senior High School, won the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Oratorical Contest based on a theme of “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times.”

Culp competed against winners from other Optimist Clubs in the area, also winning the zone level. She heads to the District level with the chance to win a scholarship, and then possibly on the Optimist International Regional/World Championship for a chance to win an additional $5,000 or up to another $15,000 scholarship.

“Jillian Culp did a wonderful job presenting her speech,” said Paul Findley, president of the Warsaw Morning Optimist. “The members of our Optimist Club have no doubt that Jillian Culp has a bright future ahead of her.”

Jillian also won the club’s essay contest, according to Oratorical Contest Chair Letrecia Nichols.

Jillian is the daughter of Josh and Emily Culp, South Whitley.