“How Optimism Has Paved My Road to Success”
Topic for the 2024-2025 School Year
Optimist International, with funding from the Optimist International Foundation, sponsors an essay contest with a grand prize of a $3,500 scholarship ($2,500 from Optimist International and $1,000 from The Great Ohio District) to the Ohio District winner. Boys and girls under the age of 19 are invited to submit an essay on a pre-assigned topic during the months of October, November, December, and January each year.
This contest is open to students under the age 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International year (October 1 – September 30) and who are not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution. The student, who is educated in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean must compose a 700-to-800-word essay around a central idea. US contestants attending school on a military installation outside the country are eligible to enter in their last US home of record. The contest is designed to develop writing and critical thinking skills. One scholarship of $2,500 per District is awarded by Optimist International each year. The Ohio District of Optimist International awards an additional $1,000 scholarship.
The deadline to submit your essay, with all necessary paperwork, i.e., application form, copy of birth certificate, green card or passport, etc. is February 28, 2025.
Questions about the contest?