Optimist (DHHCW) FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on the contest, visit the Optimist website

Official Optimist Participation form (Click to download)

What is this year's topic?

Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)

Topic: Healing the World with Optimism

Who is eligible to enter?

The contest is open to young people* through grade 12 in the United States and Canada, to CEGEP in Québec and grade 13 in the Caribbean, who are educated in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. Contestants must be certified to have an uncorrected bilateral hearing levels of 40 decibels or more in both ears. For students with a CI, the ear without the CI must meet the 40 dB or greater criteria.

Click on Qualification Criteria (next FAQ) for instructions on calculating pure tone averages.

Click here for Optimist website.

How do I know if my student has a 40 dB hearing level (qualification criteria)?

Calculate the pure-tone average for the ear in which the student has the most hearing levels (e.g. pick the ear with moderate hearing difference over the ear with severe hearing difference).  The pure-tone average dB level is calculated by averaging the hearing thresholds from the student’s audiogram at 500, 1000 and 2000 frequencies for that ear (add the numbers for those frequencies and divide by 3). If the result is 40 dB or greater, the student qualifies.

What are the exceptions for participants?

  • First place winners (in the local or district competition) from previous years are not eligible to participate.
  • Second place winners from previous years may enter the competition; they will not be eligible to receive any prize for second place but will still receive a certificate. They will receive a scholarship but no additional prize if they win first place.
  • Third place winners and students who have not yet won any prize from previous years are eligible to enter the competition again.
  • Scholarships are reserved for the district level of the competition.  First place winners will receive a bursary.  Additional prizes will also be awarded to all three levels of winners.

How do I register?

Registration info is posted on our DHHCW 2021 Optimist page. 

Forms and links:

Email completed forms to office@popdhh.ca.  For questions, call our office at 604-296-9062, ext 654037.

 

How do I submit my speech for the Optimist Competition?

  • Written Presentation – typed up double-spaced in size 12 Font and emailed to office@popdhh.ca in Word or PDF format. Avoid screen shots and scanned documents.

Is there a cost to the event?

There is no fee to participate.

Who should fill out the forms?

  • The student’s TDHH should be the person coordinating and completing the forms.

 

My child doesn't have a TDHH. Can they still participate?

  • Yes, the parent should ask the student’s case manager to coordinate the forms and registration process.

Can parents attend?

  • This year, only the parents of participants can join the Zoom session to view.

 

What are the prizes for the Optimist Competition?

There are 6 prizes to be won at the local level of the competition: 3 winners in the ASL category and 3 in the Oral category.

  • 1st place winners from past years are not eligible to compete again or win any scholarship/prize.
  • 2nd and 3rd place winners from past years are eligible to compete for the 1st place scholarship but will not receive any prizes if they receive 2nd or 3rd place again.
  • All other past participants who have not won any prizes/scholarships are welcome to compete again.

PRIZES

  • 1st place winners in Oral and ASL categories will receive a bursary in the amount $300 each.
  • All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
  • 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a medallion.
  • 1st place winners in the Oral and ASL categories will also receive an iPad.
  • 2nd place prize is an iPad.
  • 3rd place prize is a surprise gift.

Where can I get more information about the competition?

  • You can read all the rules on the Official Optimist Participation Form form (click here to obtain form). Detailed rules, judges’ criteria, scorekeeping and other information can be downloaded from the Optimist website.

What is the next step after winning the competition?

The first place winners will be connected with a representative from the sponsoring Optimist club, to provide documentation and speech transcript and be placed into the scholarship database.

How do I present?

  • You may present your topic in ASL or orally.