Celebrating Our Childhood Cancer Optimist Club Oratorical Contest Winners

The Childhood Cancer Optimist Club is thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our 2025 Oratorical Contest winners, Amelia Turbeville and Benji Bach, both students at St. Andrew Catholic School in Myrtle Beach. Amelia, a 7th grader, and Benji, an 8th grader, showcased their incredible public speaking skills and commitment to excellence throughout this year’s competition season.

In the club-level contest, Amelia earned first place, and Benji earned second place, advancing both students to the Zone 3 competition. At the Zone competition, Amelia continued to impress, finishing third place, which qualified her to compete at the South Carolina Optimist District Oratorical Contest.

We are incredibly proud of both Amelia and Benji for their achievements, their hard work, and their courage to speak and inspire through the Optimist Oratorical program. Their success reflects the power of youth voice and the mission of Optimist International: bringing out the best in kids.

Pictured: Benji Bach with Club President John Grover at the Zone 3 competition.

Pictured: Amelia Turbeville with Club President John Grover at the Zone 3 competition.