Optimist Essay Competition
The Essay contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity win a college scholarship of up to $6,000!
The guidelines require that contestants be under age 19 as of December 31 of the 2008-2009 school year. Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $650 college scholarship. Each District winner is automatically entered into the International Essay contest where a panel of judges select the top three essays. Scholarships are awarded as follows: first place - $6,000; second place - $3,750; and third place - $2,250.
2009-10 Competition
Topic: "The Internet: Today's Evolution or Tomorrow's Menace"
Who: Youth under the age of 19 as of December 31 of the current school year (December 31, 2009).
How To Enter: Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club. They need to submit an essay on the pre-assigned topic. For an application with contest rules, click here. The application must be submitted to the sponsoring Optimist Club by the specified deadline date.
Information for Optimist Clubs
The Essay Contest planning pages are intended for use by Optimist Clubs in organizing and conducting a contest in their Club. They contain no information on entering the contest and are of no use to students wishing to enter the contest. Additional Essay Contest documents can be found at the Programs page on the Optimist International website.
Club Deadline: The deadline for Clubs to submit their winning essay to the District Chair is February 28, 2010.
For Optimists Planning the Essay Contest at their Club: All Members can now view and conveniently print the 2009-2010 Club Essay Contest Planning Guide.
Essay Contest Supplies: Support merchandise for this program can be ordered through the online Canadian Supplies Store operated by the Corall Group.