04Mar 2024 by Greg Yinger

2024 Essay Winners

Club News, Essay
The Optimist Club of Van Wert announced three local winners for its annual essay contest, Meredith Crummey in first place, Amanda Burenga, in second place, and Sarah Verville in third. Students wrote essays on the topic, “Optimism: How it Connects Us.” The three local winners attend Van Wert High School. They received $300, $200, and $100 respectively. Crummey’s first-place winning essay is submitted to the district level for further judging. Thanks to Bitsi Clark, Kylee Moody, and Paul Cearns for judging this year’s 42 essay entries from the local area schools and homeschool students. ###
Read More
01Mar 2024 by Greg Yinger

2024 Oratorical Winners

Club News, Oratorical
The Optimist Club of Van Wert held its annual oratorical contest on Feb. 29 at CHP Home Care & Hospice in Van Wert. Ten students from Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert schools presented speeches on the topic, “How to Change the World with Optimism.”  Clayton Priest, a senior from Lincolnview, earned first place in the contest. Annabel Horstman, an eighth grader at Lincolnview, earned second place, and Nora Linton, a seventh grader at Lincolnview was third. These students receive medallions and prize money of $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third. Priest and Horstman will advance to the zone/regional contest. From there, contestants could move on to the district (state), and possibly national and international levels, for the opportunity to win college scholarships. Students were judged…
Read More
17Feb 2024 by Greg Yinger

2024 Optimist Scholarships

Club News, Scholarship Opportunities
The Optimist Club of Van Wert awards scholarships of $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 to graduating seniors from Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert High Schools based on hours of service completed during the year. Volunteer service must be completed through a church, nonprofit organization, or group over the past 12 months (Apr. - Apr.). A scholastic average GPA of 2.0 or above is also required. Applications are at each school guidance office or click the link to download it. Return the completed application to your school office. The due date is Fri. April 12. Download application
Read More
12Jan 2024 by Greg Yinger

23-24 Oratorial Contest

Oratorical
The annual Optimist Club of Van Wert Oratorical Contest will be held Thu. Feb. 29 at 6:00 p.m. The topic is “How to Change the World with Optimism.” The contest is offered to Van Wert County students under age 19 (as of Oct. 1, 2023). There is no minimum age. It is a four-to-five-minute oral presentation. Speeches will be judged based on content and presentation. First, second, and third-place winners will receive prizes of $300, $200, and $100. The top two local contestants will advance to compete for the opportunity to win up to $22,500 in scholarships. Entry forms may be submitted by email to vwyinger@gmail.com; by mail to Greg Yinger, 1159 Westwood Dr., Van Wert, OH  45891, or by fax to 419-238-9391. Download Application
Read More
12Jan 2024 by Greg Yinger

2023-24 Essay Contest

Club News, Essay
The annual Optimist International essay contest is open to Van Wert County students under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2023, who are not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution. There is no minimum age. The topic is “Optimism: How It Connects Us." Local winners receive medallions, along with cash awards of $300 (first place), $200 (second place) and $100 (third place). The Club winner’s essay advances to the district contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. Plus, the Ohio District of Optimist International also awards a $1,000 scholarship. Completed applications and essays will be picked up from local schools on February 16 and home school/individual entries must be mailed or dropped off to the address on the application by 4:00 p.m. on…
Read More
11May 2023 by Greg Yinger

2023 Scholarship Recipients

Club News, Scholarship Opportunities
L-R Baylee Miller, Kennedy Sites, Lauren Black The Optimist Club of Van Wert offers scholarships annually to graduating seniors at Crestview High School, Lincolnview High School, and Van Wert High School based on volunteer community service. Lauren Black of Van Wert High School is the recipient of a $1,000 Service Award Scholarship. She plans to attend Ivy Tech Community College to study Business Administration and Baking/Pastry Arts. Kennedy Sites and Baylee Miller of Crestview High School are the recipients of $1,500 and $2,500 scholarships. Kennedy plans to attend the University of St. Francis to study Music Technology, and Baylee will study Esthetics at Aveda Beauty School. Congratulations to our scholarship winners!
Read More