Scholarship – Optimist Club of Van Wert

14Jan 2026 by Greg Yinger

Optimist Scholarship

The Van Wert Optimist Club is awarding three scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to top selected seniors from Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert High Schools. Finalists will be determined in mid-April, and awards will be announced at the school's Senior Convocation. Application is due Friday, April 3, 2026, no later than 5:00 pm. The criteria are hours of community service through a church, nonprofit organization, or group, and a GPA of 2.0 or above. Two letters of recommendation and a copy of the student’s transcripts are also required. Apply Now

13May 2025 by Greg Yinger

Scholarship Winners

Club News, Scholarship

The Optimist Club of Van Wert presented its annual Service Award scholarships to local graduating high school seniors in recognition of volunteer community service. The winners of this year's $2,000 scholarships are Lauren Anspach from Lincolnview, and Quinn Tomlinson and Dakotah Nihiser (not present) from Crestview. Congratulations and best wishes on your future plans!!

13Mar 2025 by Greg Yinger

Optimist Service Scholarship

Club News, Scholarship

The Optimist Club of Van Wert is seeking applications for its annual service award scholarship. Three $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors from Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert high schools. (Vantage students from these home schools are also eligible). The criteria are hours of community service through a church, nonprofit organization, or group, and a GPA of 2.0 or above. Two letters of recommendation and a copy of the student’s transcripts are required. Click the link to download an application or pick one up in the guidance or administration office at your school. Application deadline is Fri. Apr. 11, 2025. https://optimistvw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Optimist-Scholarship-Application_2025.pdf

31Oct 2024 by Greg Yinger

2025 Optimist Scholarship

Club News, Scholarship

The Optimist Club of Van Wert is seeking applications for its annual service award scholarship. Three $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors from Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert high schools. (Vantage students from these home schools are also eligible). The criteria are hours of community service through a church, nonprofit organization, or group, and a GPA of 2.0 or above. Two letters of recommendation and a copy of the student’s transcripts are also required. Download an application HERE or pick up in the guidance or administration office at your school. Deadline is Fri. Apr. 11, 2025.

17Feb 2024 by Greg Yinger

2024 Optimist Scholarships

Club News, Scholarship

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

11May 2023 by Greg Yinger

2023 Scholarship Recipients

Club News, Scholarship

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!

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,…

13Mar 2023 by optimistvw

Oratorical Contest Winners

Club News, Oratorical, Scholarship

The Optimist Club of Van Wert held its annual oratorical contest on March 5 at CHP Home Care & Hospice in Van Wert. The topic this year is, “Discovering the Optimism within Me.” Eliza Leiendecker, a homeschooled ninth-grade student from Van Wert, earned first place in the contest. Chloe Dettrow, a junior at Van Wert High School, garnered second-place. Both will be awarded medallions and prize money of $300 for first place and $200 for second. “The Optimist Oratorical Contest is a great opportunity for local students to express their thoughts and opinions to an audience and win prize money,” said Greg Yinger of the Optimist Club. “Our club strives to bring out the best in each student and we hope this project will be a step to help them achieve…

13Mar 2023 by optimistvw

2023 Service Award Scholarship

Club News, Scholarship

The Optimist Club of Van Wert is seeking applications for its annual service award scholarship. Scholarships of $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 are available to graduating seniors from Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert. The criteria are hours of community service through a church, nonprofit organization, or group, and a GPA of 2.0 or above. Two letters of recommendation and a copy of the student's transcripts are also required. Download an application or pick one up in the guidance or administration office at your school. Deadline is Fri. Apr. 14, 2023.

29Mar 2022 by optimistvw

Service Award Scholarship

Club News, Scholarship

The Optimist Club of Van Wert is seeking applications for its annual service award scholarship for graduating seniors. Two scholarships will be awarded in Van Wert County; $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place. The criteria are a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer service during the past 12 months, (sports activities are not included), and a scholastic average GPA of 2.0 or above. Two letters of recommendation and a copy of the student's transcripts are also required. To apply, go to the guidance or administration office at Crestview, Lincolnview, or Van Wert High School. The application deadline is Fri. May 6.