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Essay Contest

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. A new official topic is chosen each year. Students are encouraged to develop their skills for written expression, and they could win a college scholarship in the process!

The contest is divided into two levels of competition:

1. The preliminary Club contest, where the winner from each local contest advances to the District level, and

2. The Michigan District scholarship contest, where the three top winners are awarded scholarships in the amounts of $2,500 for first place; $1,500 and $1,000 scholarships for second and third place, respectively. These scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation and from private individuals.

Essay high res

Could You Use a $2500 Scholarship?

 

Topic for the 2025-26 school year is:
“How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me“

Eligibility:
Open to all students under the age of 19 as of Oct 1, 2025 (and not enrolled as a degree-seeking student of a post-secondary institution)

Residence:
Student must reside in the State of Michigan – Lower Peninsula

Language:
The essay must be written in English

How to Enter:
Students write and submit an essay on their interpretation of this year’s official topic, “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”.

This scholarship contest is comprised of 2 levels: A preliminary round, which is conducted by local Optimist clubs across the state (entry deadline is generally Jan 31, 2026). The winner from each local club advances to the District level, where scholarships are awarded annually in May. The overall winner receives a $2,500 scholarship, Second Place earns $1,500 and Third Place earns $1,000.

A list of participating clubs will be posted in early December. Students: submit your essay packet to the one in your community. If there is not an Optimist Club where you live, submit your essay packet to the one nearest to you. Duplicate entries will not be accepted and are grounds for disqualification.

Most Clubs only accept submissions during the months of December and January. It is your responsibility to verify the deadline with the respective chairperson. Student submissions will not be accepted after the Club-level contests have closed.

To maintain the honesty and integrity of the program and its winners, all District entries will be run through plagiarism and AI detection software before the February 28th deadline. Once processed, you will be provided with the results sheet so you can decide whether to submit a second essay. All packets must still meet the February 28th deadline, and photos of passports or birth certificates will continue to be accepted for the winner’s age verification. 

Optimist Clubs or parents wanting more information can use the form at the bottom of this page or please e-mail the Michigan District Essay Chair at essay@michiganoptimists.org.

 

 

Clubs wishing to participate in the Essay Contest, send an email to essay@michiganoptimists.org with the following information:

  • Name of your Optimist Club
  • Name of the Chairperson
  • Chairperson’s Phone Number
  • Chairperson’s Email Address

 

 

Club-Level Winner’s Submission Deadline:

The deadline for Clubs to submit their winning essay to the District Chair is February 28, 2026. Please refer to your Club Packet or contact the District Chair for more information.

Resources

Essay Contest

2025 – 2026 Local Clubs Participating in Essay Contest

Battle Creek/Harper Creek

Battle Creek/Harper Creek, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Craig Miller, O.D.

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Bay City Noon Optimist

Bay City, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Patti Krenz

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Birmingham Optimist Club

Birmingham, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Eleanor Roleston

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Cardinal-Skidway Lake Optimist Club

Cardinal-Skidway Lake, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Charles Snyder

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Clarkston Optimist Club

Clarkston, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Linda Danek

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Detroit Northwest

Detroit, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Kathryn Joyner

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Michigan International Entrepreneur Optimist Club

Detroit, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Debra Crump

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Farmington/Farmington Hills Optimist Club

Farmington/Farmington Hills, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Anna Durham

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Greater Lansing Optimist Club

Greater Lansing, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Elizabeth Johnson

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Holland Optimist Club

Holland, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Linda Ingersoll

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Huron Valley Optimist Club

Huron Valley, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Pam Barkholtz

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Kalamazoo Optimist Club

Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Julie Howes

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Keego Harbor Optimist Club

Keego Harbor, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Mel Hager

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Central Macomb

Macomb, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Dorothy Hardy

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Mecosta County

Mecosta, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Michelle Kauffold

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Muskegon Optimist Club

Muskegon, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Dr. Pamela Smith

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Plymouth-Canton Optimist Club

Plymouth-Canton, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Pam Batcho

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Rochester Regional Optimist Club

Rochester, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Sue Kardasz

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Roseville Optimist Club

Roseville, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Andrea Burns

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Royal Oak Optimist Club

Royal Oak, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Lynn Hale

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Southfield-Lathrup Village

Southfield-Lathrup Village, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Cherryl Thames

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Breakfast Optimist Club of Waterford

Waterford, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Martha Lawrence

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West Bloomfield Optimist Club

West Bloomfield, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Jennifer Sweda

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West Branch Optimist Club

West Branch, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Charles Snyder

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The list of participating clubs is usually available by December. In the meantime, students are encouraged to work on their essay, so it will be ready to submit. Most local clubs only accept Essay Application during the months of December and January. Students are to submit to the Club in their community. If one is not listed, submit to the club nearest where you live. Students are only permitted to submit to one club. Duplicate submissions are deleted.
District Essay Contest Winners Honored at Spring District Gathering

District Essay Contest Winners Honored at Spring District Gathering

The Michigan District Optimists proudly recognized the winners of this year’s District Essay Contest at the Spring District Gathering, held at Saginaw Valley State University. The event brought together Optimist Club members and students from across the state to...

Get in Touch. Get Involved.

Whether you’re a parent of a student, a teacher, a youth volunteer or even an Optimist looking for more information, please use the form below and someone from the Michigan District Optimists Essay Committee will contact you. Be as concise as possible in the Message area.