News – 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…

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…