News – Optimist Club of Van Wert

13Mar 2023 by optimistvw

2023 Oratorical 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, 1159 Westwood Dr., 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…

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.

05Apr 2022 by optimistvw

Optimist Club Essay Contest Winners

Club News, Essay, Scholarship Opportunities

The Optimist Club of Van Wert awarded three Van Wert High School students as the winners of its annual essay contest. The students addressed the topic, “How Does an Optimistic Mindset Change My Tomorrow?” Sydney Rauch earned first place, Kasee Stoller was second, and Mackenzie Jones was third. All three were awarded medallions and prize money of $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third. Rauch's essay moves on to the district contest. The winning essays were judged the best out of 21 entries from Crestview, Lincolnview, and Van Wert schools. Bitsi Clark, Kylee Moody, and Paul Cearns served as judges. 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, scholarships, bicycle safety rodeo, and Avenue of Flags.…

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…

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…

08Jan 2022 by optimistvw

2022 Optimist International Oratorical Contest

Club News, Oratorical

The annual Optimist Club of Van Wert Oratorical Contest will be held Sunday, March 6, 2022. Applications are due by Mar. 1. The topic is “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times.” The goal is to have the contest in-person, but this could change based on Covid conditions at the time. The contest is offered to local middle school and high school students. 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 the zone, regional, and possibly district-level competitions 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…

22Nov 2021 by optimistvw

Kicking off a new Optimist Year

Club News, Membership

We're all in for a great new Optimist year!! The Optimist Club of Van Wert is preparing for another fun year of service to our community in 2021-22. Join us! We're looking for new optimistic members!! Msg us to learn more. New Members We recently welcomed a couple of new members into the Optimist Club of Van Wert! Paige Hemmert is an accountant with BRSW-CPA, and Whitney Rollins is a banker at Van Wert Federal Savings Bank. Paige's sponsor for membership is Gloria Waterman and George Scott is Whitney's sponsor. Join us in fun and service! Msg us to learn more. We recently welcomed Marshall Marraccini as a new member of the Optimist Club of Van Wert! Marshall is an advisor with Citizens Wealth Management. His sponsor for membership is…

15Apr 2021 by optimistvw

Optimist Club Hosts Oratorical Contest for Students

Club News, Oratorical, Uncategorized

The Optimist Club of Van Wert held its annual oratorical contest on March 14 online via Zoom. The topic that local students were challenged to address was “Healing the World with Optimism.” Austin Yinger, a fifth grade student at Crestview Elementary, earned first place in the contest. Derek Yinger, an eighth grader at Crestview Middle School, garnered second place, and Myles Moody, an eighth grade student at Lincolnview Middle School was third. All three were awarded medallions and prize money of $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third. Abbie Mengerink from Van Wert High School and Garrett Mosier from Lincolnview Middle School also competed in the competition. Austin Yinger advances to the regional contest on Apr. 17. The winner at the regional contest moves on to…

28Mar 2021 by optimistvw

2021 Avenue of Flags

Avenue of Flags, Club News, Volunteer Opportunities

The Optimist Club of Van Wert is gearing up again for the 2021 Avenue of Flags program! Each year, the group places American flags around town during 5 summer and fall holidays. This year the club plans on displaying about 400 large flags in front of homes and businesses. Besides being a community patriotism activity, this is the group's largest annual fundraising activity. Just by participating, you are able to showcase your patriotism and thank those that have served or who are currently serving. Did you know you also benefit area youth? The money earned by this program is directly reinvested into other programs we offer that benefit the youth in the area. Program details: For $50/year, our club will deliver and place your flag before each holiday and retrieve it after…