Sunday, November 27, 2011

Optimist Club Offers Scholarships for 2012 Student Essays

The Coquitlam Optimist Club is offering $175 in cash prizes and an opportunity to win a $2,500 scholarship in Optimist International’s 2012 Essay Contest.

The Essay Contest is open to students under 18 years of age as of December 31, 2011, who have not graduated from secondary school. Contestants must submit essays of 700-800 words in length on the topic “How my Positive Outlook Benefits my Community.”

The Coquitlam Optimist Club will award cash prizes of $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place. The first place winner will advance to the Pacific Northwest District contest with the opportunity to win a $2,500 college scholarship. The Pacific Northwest District includes Optimist Clubs in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

Optimist International sponsors the Essay Contest 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.

To enter, students must first fill out an application form. To receive the application form along with detailed contest rules and information on how to submit essays, contact Peter Smith (604-469-1514) or e-mail the Coquitlam Optimist Club at coquitlamoptimists@gmail.com. The Coquitlam Optimist Club must receive completed essays by February 6, 2012.

Essay contest rules and application forms are available at the Optimist International website http://www.optimist.org/Form/Essay_RULES_PAD-E_11-12.pdf. However, all application forms and essays from local students must be submitted to the Coquitlam Optimist Club.