25Jan 2021 by optimistvw
2021 OPTIMIST CLUB ORATORICAL CONTEST

2021 OPTIMIST CLUB ORATORICAL CONTEST

Scholarship Opportunities
The Optimist Club of Van Wert invites area students to enter its annual Oratorical contest, for the opportunity to win prize money and the possibility of earning thousands of dollars in scholarships. The Optimist Club Oratorical Contest is set for Mar. 14 and will be conducted online via Zoom. Students are asked to craft a four-to-five-minute speech addressing the topic, “Healing the World with Optimism.” Winners will receive cash awards of $300 for first-place, $200 for second-place, and $100 for third place. The top two local contestants will advance to zone, regional, district, and possibly international level competitions for the opportunity to win $2,500 up to $22,500 in scholarships. The contest is open to all Van Wert county students who are under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2020 and…
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23May 2018 by optimistvw
Optimist Club to Sponsor Art Show during Peony Festival

Optimist Club to Sponsor Art Show during Peony Festival

Club News, Peony Festival
In conjunction with this summer’s Peony Festival event held June 1-2, Optimist Club of Van Wert will again sponsor an art show for talented students from Van Wert County. Earlier in May, letters were sent out to area school art teachers asking for submissions from their students. Participants will need to have all submissions matted for ease of display, no larger than 18” x 24”. All submissions will be on display during the festival.  Friday, June 1, all winners will be identified with first place designation.  Everyone will have an opportunity to vote for People’s Choice until noon on Saturday June 2, 2018. Winning submissions will be professionally matted, framed and displayed at Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
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30Mar 2018 by optimistvw
2018 Avenue of Flags

2018 Avenue of Flags

Avenue of Flags, Club News
The Optimist Club of Van Wert is bringing back the Avenue of Flags program, a patriotic community service. The positive feedback the Optimist Club of Van Wert has received from the 2017 Avenue of Flags program was incredible. We are grateful for those who participated last year, and wish to extend an EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT for a 2018 membership. If you sign up by May 1st, you will receive a $5 discount on one single flag for a total cost of $45.00 for the year. (Original price: $50.00) Multiple flags at the same address are $40 each. You can also sponsor a flag! How it works Participants in this program receive a 3-by-5-foot, high-quality American flag on a 10-foot flagpole within 15 feet of the curb in front of a home or…
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11Jan 2018 by optimistvw
Optimist Club to Sponsor Essay Contest for Students

Optimist Club to Sponsor Essay Contest for Students

Club News, Essay, Scholarship Opportunities
The Optimist Club of Van Wert is encouraging area students to contemplate the phrase "Can Society Function Without Respect" as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for the 2017-2018 school year. The contest is open to all Van Wert County students who were under age 18 as of October 1, 2017. The Essay Contest entry deadline is February 15, 2018. The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ essays, and determine the top winners. Local winners will receive medallions along with cash awards of 1st place ($300) and 2nd place ($150). In addition to developing skills for written expression and winning local cash awards, participants also have the opportunity to win a scholarship! The winning essay will advance to the district contest to compete for a $2,500 scholarship and…
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12Dec 2017 by optimistvw
Christmas Update

Christmas Update

Club News
On Friday, December 1st, our club rang the Salvation Army Bell at Walmart from 10:00 to 7:00, and the club raised $461.31! Salvation Army was very happy! The club has asked members at the Nov. 30th and Dec. 7th meetings to donate to “Blessings in a Backpack” to be used for a special Christmas treat and towards the purchase of cans of meat. We have raised $157.50 so far. We will be collecting again this week – December 14th with a goal of a total of $250 – so just $92.50 to go! We have decided to meet on Thursday, December 21st for a regular Optimist Meeting. We will be having a White Elephant gift exchange. Please bring a $10 item that can be a gag type gift and does…
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03Nov 2017 by optimistvw
Van Wert County Hospital Donation

Van Wert County Hospital Donation

Club News
Yesterday after our club meeting, Judge Kevin Taylor delivered toys to the Van Wert County Hospital. The Optimist Club has been providing plush toys to the hospital for over 30 years for children in the pediatric department as well as in the emergency room. These toys bring comfort to children who are scared and/or nervous and we are blessed to be able to provide them. Fun Fact - when the toys are purchased, a portion of the proceeds of each sale goes to charity - so it's a double win! Together in our community we are all #OptimistStrong.
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02Nov 2017 by optimistvw
New Member Alert – Rachel Davis

New Member Alert – Rachel Davis

Club News, Membership
  An official welcome to new member Rachel Davis. Rachel joins us from Eaton in Van Wert where she is an HR Manager and was officially installed as a club member during the November 2nd meeting, though she has been a member since October. Pictured left to right is Ray Able - Lt. Governor Ohio District and Secretary Treasurer for Optimist Club of Van Wert, Rachel Davis from Eaton in Van Wert and Optimist Club President Diana Cearns with First Federal of Van Wert, OH.   Way to be #OptimistStrong!
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19Oct 2017 by optimistvw
New Members Alert – George Scott and Rev. Janine Foster

New Members Alert – George Scott and Rev. Janine Foster

Club News, Membership
It was a banner day at the noon Optimist club meeting! We inducted 2 new members: George Scott with Van Wert Federal Savings Bank and Rev. Janine Foster with Trinity Lutheran Church- Convoy, OH. Help us congratulate them in joining! Pictured from left to right: George Scott with Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, W. Ray Able - Lt. Governor Ohio District and Secretary Treasurer for Optimist Club of Van Wert, Rev. Janine Foster with Trinity Lutheran Church and Optimist Club President Diana Cearns with First Federal of Van Wert, OH. Together we are #OptimistStrong.      
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03Oct 2017 by optimistvw
Marie Miller named Ohio District Bulletin Editor

Marie Miller named Ohio District Bulletin Editor

Club News
The Ohio District-Optimist International Governor Tom Kendo is excited to announce that Marie Miller, Van Wert Optimist Club, will assume the position of Ohio District Bulletin Editor for the 2017-2018 “Optimist Strong” year. Come and meet, Marie Miller from Brand It Marketing Communications. Social is the perfect work to describe Marie. Marie has been in the marketing industry since 1998 and started her career in the graphic design industry, having graduated from Indiana-Purdue University of Fort Wayne with a graphic design degree. Throughout her career, she found that communication plays an integral role in the relationship between businesses and consumers. By utilizing social platforms to build and nurture relationships, the communication barrier can be lifted. Social media provides businesses with measurable data to determine the success (or failure) of a particular…
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