We, the undersigned, do hereby petition the International Activities Committee of Optimist International to abandon the current 18 year old age limit for participation in the Oratorical Contest and either 1) revert to the original age limit of 16 years old or 2) create two divisions within the contest, one for middle school students and one for high school students. The change in the age requirement that was made in 2009-2010 has created an untenable situation by asking middle school students to compete directly with high school students. There are vast differences in the maturity and abilities of these two age groups as recognized by education experts years ago when the middle school and high school divisions were instituted. Asking these students to compete with each other is unfair, unjust and uncomfortable not only the contestants, but also for judges, teachers, parents and spectators. As such, we respectfully request that this age requirement be changed.

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