The guidelines require that contestants be under age 19 as of December 31 of the current school year. Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. Each District winner is automatically entered into the International Essay Contest where a panel of judges select the top three essays. Scholarships are awarded as follows: first place - $6,000; second place - $3,750; and third place - $2,250. The District- and International-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations.

See Optimist International Website for full details.

2011.2012 Topic: "How my Positive Outlook Benefits My Community"

Past Topics

2010/2011 Topic: "How My Education is the Key to a Successful Future"

2009/2010 Topic: "The Internet: Today's Evolution or Tomorrow's Menace?"

2008/2009 Topic: “The Power of Youth”

2007/2008 Topic: "Today's Choices Shape My Future"

2006/2007 Topic: "I want to make a difference because..."

2005/2006 Topic: "I'm Unique Because..."