We don't mean to nag, but we must tell you about the Optimist International Scholarship Contests in which your Optimist Club can and should participate.
There is no time too early to start planning for these activities and we think the sooner the better because, believe it or not, some teachers and students ignore the great opportunities that these programs provide. If you are an Optimist Club president, please appoint a chairperson for each of these activities, download the club planning guides and get involved.
The topic for the 2017-2018 Optimist International Essay Contest is "Can Society Function Without Respect?" Optimist Clubs set the date for student entries to be received. Participating Optimist Clubs must submit their entries to the District Chairperson by February 28, 2018.
- Optimist International Essay Contest Club Planning Guide
- Optimist International Essay Contest Entry Form
The topic for the 2017-2018 Optimist International Oratorical Contest is "Where are My Roots of Optimism?" Optimist Clubs set the date for club-level contests. All should be planned before the zone-level contest that is scheduled by the lieutenant governor in each zone. All zone contests take place before the third quarter conference scheduled for April 27-28, 2018.
- Optimist International Oratorical Contest Club Planning Guide
- Optimist International Oratorical Contest Entry Form
The topic for the 2017-2018 Optimist International Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) is "Where are My Roots of Optimism?" Optimist Clubs set the date for club-level contests. Depending on the level of interest from Optimist Clubs in this administrative year, this contest may be placed on hold in the Pacific Northwest District. Please check back for the status of this contest after January 1, 2018.
- Optimist International CCDHH Contest Club Planning Guide
- Optimist International CCDHH Contest Entry Form
Students may participate in all Optimist International Scholarship Contests by following the guidelines found on the entry forms and submitting it to the Optimist Club closest to them. While not all Optimist Clubs participate in all scholarship programs, all chapters are part of the Optimist International network and may help students find a club that is hosting the activity this year.