Young writers in the Foothills have an opportunity to win scholarships in the Optimist International Essay Contest by sharing how optimism has benefitted them.
The topic of this year’s contest is: How Optimism has paved my road to success.
The Okotoks Optimist Club is running the contest at the local level and providing prizes of $200 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place. There’s also an opportunity to win up to $2,500 at the district level.
The annual essay contest gives young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live.
Last year’s local winner, Foothills Composite student Hyalia Letendre, became the first to do so at the district level, earning a $2,500 scholarship towards post-secondary education.
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.”
This year’s contest is open to anyone under the age of 18 as of Oct. 1, 2024. The deadline to submit a 700- to 800-word essay is Jan. 31 at 12 p.m.
Essays can be sent to [email protected].
For more information on the contest or the Okotoks Optimist Club, visit okotoksoptimistclub.com.
