News – Page 3 – Optimist Club of Van Wert

08Jan 2022 by optimistvw

2022 Optimist International Oratorical Contest

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

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…

25Jan 2021 by optimistvw

2021 OPTIMIST CLUB ORATORICAL CONTEST

Scholarship

The Optimist Club of Van Wert invites area students to enter its annual Oratorical contest, for the opportunity to win prize money and the possibility of earning thousands of dollars in scholarships. The Optimist Club Oratorical Contest is set for Mar. 14 and will be conducted online via Zoom. Students are asked to craft a four-to-five-minute speech addressing the topic, “Healing the World with Optimism.” Winners will receive cash awards of $300 for first-place, $200 for second-place, and $100 for third place. The top two local contestants will advance to zone, regional, district, and possibly international level competitions for the opportunity to win $2,500 up to $22,500 in scholarships. The contest is open to all Van Wert county students who are under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2020 and…

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.…

25Oct 2018 by Marie Miller

Optimist Communication Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)

Club News, Oratorical

$3500.00 in Scholarships Will Be Awarded to the Winner By Optimist International & the Ohio District! The Ohio Optimists are, once again, offering a fantastic scholarship opportunity to students who are deaf or hearing impaired and a chance to improve their oratorical skills at the same time with their C.C.D.H.H. Please share with anyone you know who may be interested. Download the Flyer here: Download the Application here: Last year, only 8 students participated state wide in this contest so I'm not sure if it is due to lack of interest or the students not receiving the information. This year's topic is: “Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Reality? Interested students should complete their application and turn it back in to me…

16Oct 2018 by Marie Miller

Optimist partners with Service Club to Host Van Wert Children’s Christmas Garden

Club News

Jim Clay and his family have dedicated six Christmas seasons to bring joy to the Van Wert and surrounding communities in the form of a whimsical Christmas Garden - A place where imagination becomes a reality. From free candy canes to a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, area residents were delighted to get into the holiday spirit. This fanciful display was made possible by many corporate and private sponsors. When it was shared that the event may not continue, two area clubs were inspired to join forces to continue the Christmas display at Smiley Park. Thanks to their volunteer spirit, The Van Wert Service Club and the Optimist Club of Van Wert are joining forces to continue the Christmas joy that is the Children's Christmas Garden at Smiley Park…

16Oct 2018 by Marie Miller

2019 – Avenue of Flags Program

Avenue of Flags, Club News

Veteran's Day is right around the corner. If you are a participant in this program, be on the lookout for our members who will be installing our beautiful flags across the city of Van Wert. 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 after the holiday. The Optimist Club of Van Wert is responsible for the placement of the flag and proper storage after the flags have been recovered. If you…

16Oct 2018 by Marie Miller

2018-2019 Club Leadership

Club News

Optimist Club of Van Wert inducts New Officers and Board Members On Thursday, September 27, The Optimist Club of Van Wert inducted the 2018-2019 officers and board members. 2018-2019 Officers & Board Members include: Officers are Marie Miller from Brand It Marketing, President; Sean Sauer from Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home, Vice President; Michelle Gunter from Schrader Realty, Second Vice-President; Diana Cearns from 1st Federal Bank, Past President; Ray Able, Secretary/Treasurer. Board Members are Andy Manz, Gloria Waterman both from Bashore Reineck Stoller & Waterman, Inc, Trevor Webster of Edward Jones, Judge Kevin Taylor, Greg Yinger of Community Health Professionals and Amanda Miller from The Van Wert Community Foundation. The Optimist Club of Van Wert is proudly serving the Van Wert County area since the 1980s. We are comprised of men and…