The South Side Optimist Club recently honored local winners of Optimist International’s annual Oratorical Contest with medals and certificates. Pic-tured, from left, are: South Side Optimist Club President John Oberlohr, Oliva Lopez, McKenzie Murphy and Helen Niemira, of the Optimist Club.

The Mehlville Optimist and South Side Optimist clubs jointly sponsored an oratorical contest for middle school pupils. The winners, first row, from left, are: Luke Rasure of Margaret Buerkle Middle School (first place), Markus Zomphier of Margaret Buerkle Middle School (second place), contest participant Michael Meyer of Queen of All Saints and contest participant T.J. Homan of St. Matthias. Pictured, second row, from left, are: Matt Rice of Washington Middle School (third place) and Tony Carosello, South Side Optimist Club president.