Optimism from Okotoks has brought home a district writing award for the first time.
Foothills Composite student Hyalia Letendre won the Optimist International Essay Contest at the club level and became the first to do so at the district level, earning a $2,500 scholarship towards post-secondary education.
“When it went on to the district, we had a novelist, a publisher and an editor all judging the essay contest,” said Nathan Kondrat, chair of the essay contest for the Okotoks Optimist Club. “They came back to us and said Hyalia’s scoring on the essay excelled above and beyond everybody’s by a long shot.
“Hyalia really put a lot of thought and energy into this essay and came out as the clear winner.”
The 2024 contest had five local entries and a set topic with guidelines for entrants to follow, fostering writing skills and encouraging young individuals to explore societal issues and express their perspectives.
The contest starts at the club level with winners moving onto the district round, a wide-ranging region that includes Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana and the northern part of Wyoming.
“So really this scholarship that we’re able to offer is an international competition,” Kondrat said. “And roughly between 200 to 250 kids have participated in this essay contest.”
Letendre, a Grade 10 student, was quick to credit teacher Sam Spangler for the huge strides taken in writing.
“I struggled a lot when I was in junior high,” Letendre said. “I didn’t feel a lot of confidence surrounding my writing ability and (Spangler) just supported me and gave me the confidence I needed. When he sent me the link to this award, I thought why don’t I give it a try?
"And winning at both levels has just given me such a confidence boost. I know that my writing is good enough and it’s such an honour to win these awards.”
Letendre’s essay detailed how optimism connects us, even during difficult times.
“What I was trying to get across was that the world is in a really dark time right now, but if we remain positive and have hope, we are able to make a change,” Letendre said. “We can forge connections and relationships with a community and the people around us for the betterment of society.
“The world is better when everyone feels that they belong and that they’re contributing to something.”
In addition, to the $2,500 prize won at the district level, Letendre was awarded $250 for her victory at the local level.
Kerry Welsh, Foothills Composite principal, outlined how Letendre exemplifies the club’s values of commitment, responsibility, compassion, leadership, respect, inclusion, positivity, trustworthiness and teamwork every day at the school.
“(Hyalia) is very deserving of this award,” Welsh said.
For more information on the Okotoks Optimist Club, visit Okotoksoptimistclub.com.
