Essay – Optimist Club of Van Wert

14Jan 2026 by Greg Yinger

Optimist Essay Contest

Club News, Essay

The Optimist Club Essay Contest is open to all Van Wert County students who are under the age of 19 as of October 1 and are not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution. There is no minimum age. The topic for this year is ““How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me.” Entry deadline is February 12. Local winners will 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 up to $3,500 in scholarships. Download application

12Mar 2025 by Greg Yinger

2025 Essay Contest Winners

Club News, Essay

The winners of the 2025 Optimist Essay contest are Mandy Burenga, Katie Kramer, and Maria Parrish. The topic for this year was, "How Optimism Helped Pave the Way for My Success." Prizes of $300, $200, and $100 were awarded to the respective winners at the Mar. 6 Optimist Club meeting. The first-place essay was sent on to the district level competition, for a chance at college scholarships through the Great Ohio District of Optimist International. The Optimist Club of Van Wert expresses its thanks to Bitsi Clark, Kylee Moody, and Paul Cearns for judging this year's entries.

10Jan 2025 by Greg Yinger

2025 Essay Contest

Club News, Essay

The Optimist Club Essay Contest is open to all Van Wert County students who are under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2024, and are not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution. There is no minimum age. The topic for this year is “How Optimism Has Paved My Road to Success.” The contest entry deadline is Friday, February 14. The Van Wert Optimist Club will judge local students’ essays and determine the top winners. Local winners will 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. Click Here>…

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. ###

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…

31Mar 2023 by optimistvw

Essay Contest Winners

Club News, Essay, Scholarship

The Optimist Club of Van Wert announce the winners of its 2023 Optimist Essay Contest. The topic was, "Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?” The local winners are Zoe Coleman, a junior at Van Wert High School - first place, Kelby Blythe, a junior at Van Wert - second place, and Emma Hatcher, a senior at Lincolnview - third place. Each presented their essays and took home checks for $300, $200, and $100 respectively. The Optimist Club thanks Bitsi Clark, Kylee Moody, and Paul Cearns for judging this year’s 67 essay entries from Van Wert, Crestview, Lincolnview, Vantage, and home-schooled students. The Optimist Club of Van Wert is active in the community with programs and service projects that include oratorical and essay contests, after-prom events,…

13Jan 2022 by optimistvw

Optimist Essay Contest Announced

Club News, Essay

The Optimist Club of Van Wert is encouraging area students to participate in the Optimist International essay contest for the 2021-2022 school year. The contest is open to all Van Wert County students who are under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2021 and are not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution. There is no minimum age. The topic for this year’s competition is “How Does an Optimistic Mindset Change My Tomorrow?” The essay contest entry deadline is Monday, February 14. The Van Wert Optimist Club will judge local students’ essays and determine the top winners. Local winners will 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…

15Jan 2019 by Marie Miller

Essay and Oratorical Contests Announced for Area Students

Club News, Essay, Oratorical, Scholarship

The Optimist Club of Van Wert invites area students to enter its annual Essay and Oratorical contests, for the opportunity to win prize money and the possibility of earning thousands of dollars in scholarships. ESSAY CONTEST The Optimist Club Essay Contest encourages area students to write about the topic, When All the World’s Problems are Solved, is Optimism Still Necessary? Optimist Club members will judge students’ essays and determine the winners of medallions and cash awards of $300 for first-place, $150 for second-place, and $50 for third-place. Winners of the local contest advance to the district contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. Essay contest applications are available now at Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert middle and high schools, or may be obtained by contacting Diana Cearns at 419-238-1463.…

11Jan 2018 by optimistvw

Optimist Club to Sponsor Essay Contest for Students

Club News, Essay, Scholarship

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…