Odd Fellows Speech Competition
ODD FELLOWS PILGRIMAGE FOR YOUTH, JULY 2026
78th Annual Pilgrimage for Youth www.ioofpilgrimageforyouth.com
Attention grade 10 and 11 students! Are you interested in an exciting experience next July, that will take you to Niagara Falls, Washington D.C., and a week in New York? Enter our public speaking contest, because several Alberta High School students (one from Southern Alberta) will receive the expense paid trip in July. The trip takes approximately two weeks.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows are holding a public speaking contest to take place on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, at 2:00 pm at our lodge hall located at 501 – 4 Ave South, Lethbridge. The Winner will receive the all-expense paid trip.
Travel arrangements have been organised by air travel out of Calgary joining other winning students and taking a bus trip from Philadelphia including side trips. The winners will be spending a week in New York visiting sites such as the Empire State Building and the 911 Memorial. The second week students will visit the Niagara Falls, the Capital in Washington as well as some other side trips. The two-week trip takes place July 17 to July 30, 2026
Suggested topics for contestants to consider are:
- Any aspect of the work of the United Nations.
- Any matter of International Concern
- Are governments meeting needs of a rapidly changing world?
- Any matter of national Concern
Contestants are required to find their own resource material and the speech must be between 7 to 8 minutes in length. Students must possess or obtain a valid Canadian passport.
To participate, students must be at least 16 years of age at the time of the trip and under 18 years of age with one semester of high school left by September 2026. Students must be interested in community, church and school activities and present attributes of co-operation and leadership.
Who pays the cost? The Oddfellows and Rebekah Lodges will provide all transportation, accommodation, and board. You get to stay in New York in special apartments set aside for this award. You will need a little spending money to help with entrance fees at attractions you may visit, souvenirs, shopping and refreshments. You must have a current Canadian passport.
The Speech Competition will take place Saturday, December 6th, 2025, in Lethbridge.
Interested students should complete the attached Candidates Experience Sheet and return it by Wednesday, November 26th, to Gordon Lowe, 2 Sunset Crescent, Lethbridge, T1J-5S1.
For enquiries: Telephone 403-315-0997, or email: gmlllowe@telus.net
This award is one of the most significant achievements a student can obtain. The sights and activities experienced will have a lifelong impact. Application Forms are available here. More information can be found on the Pilgrimage Info Sheet.