Essay contest 2025-2026
Last night we celebrated our first CMOF Optimist Essay Scholarship Contest.
This years subject was “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”
The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent
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 addition 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 District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation.
At our Club level… this is the first time we have an Essay Contest; we had eight contestants that submitted an 700–800-word essay.
My Co Chair was Doni Muzzy, she was instrumental in getting our participants for the contest, Without Doni’s help this contest would not be possible.
Our board approved that 3 of our participants would receive a scholarship.
The essays were graded by two of our members, Pat R Miller and Danielle Grassmeyer. I would like to thank them both for their time and attention to help with this project.
Two 100-dollar winners for the 2nd and 3rd place. Along with a participation medal for each.
Names of the winners——
Davin Lehl– 3rd place
Lillian Akroush—2nd place
Our winner of a 200-dollar scholarship is Addison Cooper, a Senior at Dakota High School. Addison’s essay has been shared with our members. Our Judges determined it was the best of the eight and I agree it is very moving.
Congratulations Addison—–
Installation Banquet October 2022—
