The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!  Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship.

The topic for the 2023-2024 school year is: “Optimism: How it Connects Us”

The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st, 2023 and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. There is no minimum age.  Click here for a complete set of rules

Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club (The Optimist Club of Holland). They need to submit an essay on the pre-assigned topic.  Essays must be between 700 and 800 words.

The deadline for submitting the essays is January 31, 2024.  

Club level winners:  1st place receives $500, 2nd place is $300, and 3rd place is $100.

The essay application (click here: essay application) is improved and is now a 2-page document in larger font and with more information for the contestants.  The form is now fillable, and no special app is required to use this feature.  Once filled in and printed by the student, a Parent/guardian signature is still required.

The essays and applications can be either emailed to the contact person or mailed to our P O Box.  This information is on the application.

If you’d prefer to gather them for your school, we can also arrange to pick up the packet from you.  Let us know what will work best for you.

Contacts

Linda Ingersoll – Chairperson – lkingersoll@comcast.net

Steve Sucher – Club President – stevesucher54@gmail.com