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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 2024-25 school year is: “How Optimism Has Paved My Road to Success”

Eligibility:
Open to all students under the age of 19 as of Oct 1, 2024 (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 Optimism Has Paved My Road to Success”.

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, 2025). 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.

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

 

 

Club-Level Winner’s Submission Deadline:
The deadline for Clubs to submit their winning essay to the District Chair is February 28, 2025. Please refer to your Club Packet or contact the District Chair for more information.

Resources

Essay Contest

2024 – 2025 Local Clubs Participating in Essay Contest

Bay City Noon Optimist

Bay City, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Patti Krenz

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Cardinal-Skidway Lake, MI

Cardinal-Skidway Lake, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Charles Snyder

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Clarkston

Clarkston, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Linda Danek

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Detroit: Central Detroit

Detroit, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Lori Diggs

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Downtown Detroit Optimist Club

Detroit, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Fred Rottach

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Detroit: Faith, Hope & Love

Detroit, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Juanita Bell

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Detroit Northwest

Detroit, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Kathryn Joyner

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Greater Lansing

Greater Lansing, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Elizabeth Johnson

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Huron Valley

Huron Valley, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Pam Barkholtz

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Kalamazoo (BOCK)

Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Julie Howes

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Muskegon

Muskegon, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Dr. Pamela Smith

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Plymouth-Canton Optimist Club

Plymouth Canton/Wayne Westland, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Pam Batcho

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Roseville Optimist Club

Roseville, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

John Czech

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Royal Oak

Royal Oak, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Mike Ripinski

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Optimist Club of Saginaw

Saginaw, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

John Olvera

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Southfield-Lathrup Village

Southfield/Lathrup Village, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Cherryl Thames

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West Bloomfield Optimist Club

West Bloomfield/Detroit, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Greg Flynn

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Waterford Breakfast

Waterford/Pontiac, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Martha Lawrence

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Michigan Int't Enteprenauers/Southfield

Detroit, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Debra Crump

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Mecosta County

Mecosta, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Michelle Kauffold

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Rochester Regional Optimist Club

Rochester, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Sue Kardasz

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Pontiac Optimist Club

Pontiac, Michigan
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Club Essay Chairperson:

Monetta Foster

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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.
How to Use Originality.AI for the Essay Contest

How to Use Originality.AI for the Essay Contest

Ensuring the originality of student work is an essential part of any academic or speech contest. Originality.AI is a powerful tool that can help you check for plagiarism in your clubs Essay contests to ensure fairness and integrity. Follow these simple steps 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.