Scholarship Opportunities – Optimist Club of Van Wert

11May 2023 by Greg Yinger

2023 Scholarship Recipients

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 Opportunities

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 Opportunities

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 Opportunities

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 Opportunities

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.

17Mar 2022 by optimistvw

Optimist Club Hosts Oratorical Contest

Club News, Oratorical, Scholarship Opportunities

The Optimist Club of Van Wert held its annual oratorical contest on March 6 at CHP Home Care & Hospice, 1159 Westwood Dr., Van Wert. The topic for 2020-21 is: “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times.” Eliza Leiendecker, a homeschooled eighth grade student from Van Wert, earned first place in the contest. Berkley Webster, a third-grader at Van Wert Elementary, garnered second-place, and Cooper Webster, a sixth-grade student at Van Wert was third. All three were awarded medallions and prize money of $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third. Derek Young from Crestview Middle School placed fourth. Leiendecker advances to the regional contest on Apr. 9 at UNOH in Lima. The winner at the regional contest moves on to the district (state) level, and possibly national and international…

15Jan 2019 by Marie Miller

Essay and Oratorical Contests Announced for Area Students

Club News, Essay, Oratorical, Scholarship Opportunities

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 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…

23Jan 2017 by optimistvw

2017 Essay Contest

Club News, Scholarship Opportunities

For Immediate Release | January 16, 2017 Optimist Club to Sponsor Essay Contest for Students The Optimist Club of Van Wert is encouraging area students to contemplate the phrase "Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges" as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for 2017. The contest is open to all Van Wert County students who were under age 18 as of October 1, 2016. The Essay Contest entry deadline is February 15, 2016. 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…

23Jan 2017 by optimistvw

2017 Oratorical Contest

Club News, Scholarship Opportunities

Optimist Club of Van Wert to Sponsor Oratorical Contest for Students The Optimist Club of Van Wert wants to inform you about its annual Oratorical Contest for students to be held Sunday, February 19, 2017. The topic this year is “What the World Gains from Optimism.” Students’ speeches will be judged based on content and presentation to determine the top boy and girl winners. First-place winners will receive a $300 prize and advance to the zone or regional level, and possibly the district level for the opportunity to win scholarships. The Oratorical Contest challenges students to express their thoughts and opinions to an audience with the opportunity to win prizes and scholarships. Our club hopes to bring out the best in each of young person and help them achieve their…