Abigail Woodruff, a 7th grade student from Royal Oak Middle School who won the club Oratorical Contest, and won the Michigan District Area 4 Oratorical Contest, also won the Michigan District Optimist Oratorical Contest and a $2,500 scholarship on Saturday May 17th.

Abagail, pictured on the far right, moves on the Optimist International Regional Oratorical Contest in St. Louis, MO on July 17th, where she will compete against the winners from the Optimist Districts that make up the Northeast-Great Lakes Region for a $5,000 scholarship.

The Regional winners (there are nine Regions) move on to the Optimist International World Oratorical Championships on July 18th where the 1st Place Winner receives a $15,000 scholarship, 2nd place receives a $10,000 scholarship and 3rd place receives a $5,000 scholarship. The scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation.

The Oratorical Contest which began in 1928 is the longest running program of optimist International which was founded in 1919.

Congratulations to 2023-24 Royal Oak Optimist of the Year Kim Neely!

Optimist Park 2025 Spring Cleanup

Thanks to Allen Pruner for once again leading the charge at the 2025 Optimist Park Spring Cleanup. Thanks also to Matt Wickey, Patti Shafer, Mike Ripinski and Rick Bremer who all pitched in.

Keller Elementary—Royal Oak

Thanks to Allen Pruner and Rick Bremer for once again spearheading the Royal Oak Optimist Club Bicycle Helmet Program. Helmets were distributed to third graders in Royal Oak, Berkley and Oak Park. Thanks also to Kathy Bremer, Robin Kripli, Marc Katz and Dawne & Mike Ripinski for their work in support of Allen and Rick.

The Royal Oak Optimist Club marched and rode in the 2025 Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade. Pictured in the car are driver Cas Swastek, David Richards, Dawne Ripinski, and Marc Katz. Also participating were Matt Wickey and his daughter as well as Mike Ripinski and our club’s newest member—Lynn Hale.