Essay Contest

C-U Optimist Club Essay Contest

2015 Topic- “Optimism Should Be a Priority”

The Optimist Club of Champaign-Urbana, #12064, is encouraging area students to contemplate the phrase “Optimism Should Be A Priority” as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for 2015. 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!

Judges will evaluate the local students’ essays, based on the theme and determine the top winner. Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations. The maximum entries at that level are 25.

“Young students today have so many fresh ideas about the world and their future,” Club President Bobbie Herakovich said. “As Optimists, it is our goal to encourage them and do what we can to bring out the best in each of them. This gives them a wonderful opportunity to tap into their creativity and pursue possible scholarships at the same time.”

Students wishing to participate in the essay contest can find out more about the contest by contacting the club at mcminnes@sbcglobal.net or 217-417-2734. All essays must be submitted electronically, no exceptions. The winner must provide a birth certificate copy.

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Contest Rules & Entries

Topic: "Optimism Should be a Priority"

Who: Youth under the age of 19 (grades K-12) who have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent.

Write an original 700-800 word essay on the above topic. Title, footnotes and bibliography are not included in the final word count. Hyphenated words count as one (1) word.
Type cover page according to rules.
Complete official application form.
Submit essay electronically (no exceptions) by January 15, 2015 to: Connie Minnes at mcminnes@sbcglobal.net

How: Click here to download a copy of the official entry form. Please read all of the Essay Contest Rules carefully.

Deadline is January 15, 2015.

Questions?

Contact Connie Minnes

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