It's scholarship competition time!

Each year, Optimist International sponsors three scholarship contests to encourage students to become better communicators.

The first is the Optimist International Essay Contest. It takes place between September and February. The official topic for 2019-2020 is "Is Optimism the Key to Achieving the Dreams you iMagine?" Download the entry form.

The second is the Optimist International Oratorical World Championships. It takes place between January and May. The official topic for 2019-20 is “Just iMagine a World without Boundaries.” Download the entry form.

Optimist International partnered with St. Louis University to expand the Oratorical Contest in 2016. This year, in the third year of the partnership, we expect it to improve even more! District winners will compete on an international stage where they have the opportunity to win up to $22,500 in scholarship money.

The third opportunity is the Optimist International Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH). Although not all clubs and districts host this contest, those that do hold it between January and May. The official topic for 2019-20 is “Just iMagine a World without Boundaries.” Download the entry form.

ALL scholarship contests begin at the CLUB LEVEL. The winning club entries for the essay contest must be submitted to the district chairperson by February 28, 2020, for district-level competition. The names of the winning oratorical contestants must be submitted to the district chairperson by February 28, 2020, for regional competition assignments which begin March 7, 2020. 

For information about the Essay Contest, please contact District Chair Monique Connors

For information about the Oratorical Contest, please contact District Chair Cathy Cena.

It is our understanding that only the Essay Contest and Oratorical Contest are being hosted at the PNW District level in the 2019-2020 administrative year. 

Shown in the photo are Bob Speicher, President, West Tacoma Optimist Club, and Oratorical Contest winners from Covenant High School in 2018. 

What to do when the children head back-to-school

The last official summer holiday has taken place and we can now say that in most areas in the Pacific
Northwest District the 2019-2020 school year is underway!

Back-to-school time brings many opportunities for Optimist Clubs to interact with children. From back-to-school parties to athletics and club involvement, students of all ages are getting back into the routine. Caring adults such as Optimist Club members can make a difference by supporting their efforts. Sometimes all they need to succeed is a little extra encouragement, a friendly voice that tells them, have a great day or you're doing a great job, keep it up. Sometimes they need more like school supplies, tutoring, or safe pathways to and from school. Optimist Clubs might want to connect with their local elementary and middle schools to see if there is a way to support their students and their schools that perhaps haven't been addressed by others.

Now is the time to reach out to the teachers in middle school and high school to discuss the Optimist International Scholarship Contests. The scholarship programs have been part of Optimist International's outreach since 1928 when the Optimist International Oratorical Contest was first held. Today the organization offers three opportunities for students to earn scholarships: the Essay Contest, Oratorical World Championships and the Communications Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)students.

All scholarship contests begin at the club level. Optimist Clubs host the Essay Contest in the fall with all winning club entries submitted to the District Chairperson by February 28. The Oratorical Contest is held in the Spring in time for the finalist to attend the Zone Contest which date is set by the Lt. Governor before the third quarter District meeting.  The CCDHH takes place as advised by their District.

The official topic for the 2019-2020 Essay Contest is "Is Optimism the Key to Achieving the Dreams you iMagine?" Download the entry form.

The official topic for the 2019-20 Optimist International Oratorical World Championships is “Just iMagine a World without Boundaries.” Download the entry form.

The official topic for the 2019-20 Optimist International CCDHH is “Just iMagine a World without Boundaries.” Download the entry form.

It's also a great time of year to reach out to teachers, principals, counselors, and other school personnel to invite them to join an Optimist Club. There is a special offer from Optimist International that gives teachers one-year of membership for $30. To take advantage of this offer, the Optimist Club must enroll the new member by September 30. We hope that the program is renewed for 2019-2020, but why wait? Invite a teacher to join your Optimist Club today!

PNW Optimist Club essays are due February 28

A new year brings new opportunities and for Optimist Clubs under the Optimist International umbrella, a new year means it is time to finalize all preparations for the Optimist International Scholarship Programs.

The first program that takes place each year is the Optimist International Essay Contest. As all programs do, it begins at the Optimist Club level. Each year, students are invited to write an essay of 700 to 800 words on the official topic and submit it to their local Optimist Club. The Optimist Club collects the essays, judges them, and forwards the winning essay to the District Chairperson. At the District level, the winning essay wins a $2,500 scholarship.

The 2018-2019 topic is "When all the world's problems are solved, is optimism still necessary?" The application may be found here.

The 2018-2019 PNW District Chairperson is Monique Connors. Winning Optimist Club essays must be in Monique's hands or email inbox no later than February 28, 2019. The cost for the club entry is $50 USD. Please contact Monique with any questions your Optimist Club may have.

Scholarship Contests, oh my!

It's true!

Perhaps the easiest projects for an Optimist Club to hold are the communications programs for which Optimist International is known. What are they?

The Scholarship Contests

There are three contests that start at the Optimist Club level that lead students to $2,500 scholarship awards and one can lead to as much as $22,500!

All are outlined in handy club-level planning guides accessible through the links below.

The topic for the 2018-2019 Optimist International Essay Contest is "When All the World’s Problems are Solved, is Optimism Still Necessary?"

Download the entry form.

The topic for the 2018-2019 Optimist International Oratorical World Championships is “Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Reality?” 

Download the entry form.

The topic for the 2018-2019 Optimist International Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)  is “Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Reality?”
Download the entry form.

There is also a program for younger students preparing to enter the Oratorical World Championships called Kids Speak Out. Optimist Clubs may choose the topic for this contest.

New Rules

There are new rules in place regarding the Optimist International Oratorical Contest. The biggest change is that students who have won second or third place scholarships at the District level are now eligible to return to competition. Only students who have placed first at a District level competition are ineligible to participate.
Read all the rules changes here.

In the Pacific Northwest District the following guidelines must be observed:

• Optimist Clubs must submit their winning essay to the District Chairperson by February 28, 2018
• There will be no zone contests for the Oratorical or CCDHH. Regional contests will be held for the Oratorical Contest and the CCDHH at the same time.  The dates of the regional contests are Oregon - March 9, 2019; Idaho - March 16, 2019; Washington and Alaska - March 23, 2019; British Columbia - March 30, 2019. 
• Two contestants from each state in the Oratorical and CCDHH contests will advance to the District competition on April 12, 2019. 

Questions regarding the competitions should be addressed to the lieutenant governor in each zone. 

Topics revealed for 2018-2019 Optimist International Scholarship Contests

The Optimist International Convention is taking place today through Tuesday, July 8-10, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

During the convention, the topics for the Scholarship Contests for the coming year are revealed. They are:

Optimist International Essay Contest - "When All the World's Problems are Solved, is Optimism Still Necessary?"

Optimist International Oratorical Contest and Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - "Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Reality?"

When available, complete contest rules will be posted at http://www.optimist.org/member/scholarships1.cfm.

Please use this notice as a heads-up so that your Optimist Club can make connections with your local schools in August.

All scholarship contests begin at the Optimist Club level. If you are a potential student contestant, teacher, counselor, or parent, please find an Optimist Club near you at this link.

What happens after an Optimist Club level scholarship contest?

It is Scholarship Contest season for Optimist Clubs. Students begin their quest for all scholarships by participating in the Optimist International Essay Contest, Optimist International Oratorical Contest or Communications Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) at their local Optimist Club. From there, local winners move on to Zone, Regional, or District level competition. In 2018, the PNW District fee for each qualifying contestant is $50 per entry at the second level of competition paid by the sponsoring Optimist Club.

The Optimist Club Essay Contest winner moves directly into the District level competition when the club chairperson mails the winning essay, all required paperwork, and $50 to the District Essay Chairperson. This is for reference only as the entries were due on February 28, 2018. The winning contestant is announced at the PNW District third quarter meeting.

The Lieutenant Governor plans the second-level of the Optimist Club Oratorical Contest in each Zone. They set the date and location, typically in April, arrange for judges, and most important, communicate with the clubs to encourage their participation in the contest. The Optimist Club may send its first and second place contestants to the Zone level competition. To participate, each winning student must have the required paperwork and the $50 registration fee.

Two contestants, the first and second place speakers, in each Zone advance to the District level competition. There they will meet other contestants that have gone through similar procedures to reach this level of participation. In 2018, the PNW District competition is being held at the third quarter meeting May 11-12 at the Hampton Inn near Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, Washington.

Typically, the District covers all costs for lodging, meals, and activities for the students at the event as follows:

• Students should arrive late-afternoon Friday. They will share a room with another contestant. 
• District Committee Chair hosts dinner for the students and usually, there is an activity like bowling, swimming, or a movie. 
• Rise and shine Saturday morning for breakfast. We hope the contest is in the morning - it typically is - so that participants can get past any nerves and enjoy getting to know one another. 
• The District Committee Chair will host lunch and take students on an area activity in the afternoon. 
• Return for the evening banquet with the Optimist Club members, other participants, and families, to learn who has won the PNW District scholarship prizes of $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000. 
• Evening break with families and new friends. Students who are traveling with parents may leave at their pleasure. Others will remain for breakfast Sunday morning at the hotel. 
• The first-place winner should meet with the District Chairperson to learn of the next level of competition as an entry in the Optimist International Global World Championships. This portion may be done online or in person. The Regional winner earns an additional $5,000 scholarship and the opportunity to compete for $15,000 more. 

The CCDHH may follow a similar path as the Optimist International Oratorical Contest; however, since participation is much lower, it has, in the past, generally been run in cooperation with a school program for deaf students. We have been advised that the CCDHH will not be held at a district meeting in 2018.

This post is for informational purposes in order to satisfy a number of inquiries that we have received. Please contact the PNW District Chairpersons for further information: Essay | Oratorical | CCDHH.

Optimist Clubs are encouraged to host the Optimist International Essay Contest

We're solidly into the 2017-2018 school year and eleven days into the new Optimist Club administrative year. What does that mean? It means that every Optimist Club should be thinking about the Optimist International Essay Contest.

The annual contest begins at the Optimist Club level. Students under the age of 18 as of October 1, 2017 are invited to submit a 700 to 800 word essay on the topic: "Can Society Function Without Respect?"

Complete rules for the Optimist International Essay Contest may be found here. 

Click on this link to find an Optimist Club near you. 

Optimist Club presidents should delegate a member of their club to be the Club Essay Chairperson. A complete planning guide is available here. 

In the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and the province of British Columbia, winning club entries should be forwarded to the PNW District Optimist International Essay Contest Chairperson Monique Connors by February 28, 2018. Contact Monique here or at 360.878.3886. 

Optimist Club essays must be in to the District by February 28

"Optimists make the best movers and shakers," commented one student on their submission to a club-level Optimist International Essay Contest. I agree! We are pretty lively, active in our community as we work to make a difference. It's great to see children recognize the personality trait - optimism - that helps one get things done.

It with optimism that we remind you to get it done by February 28, 2017. Get what done? Submit your Optimist Club winning essay to your District Essay Chairperson.

In the Pacific Northwest District, the chairperson is Trenna Bowman Garcia. Her contact information follows:

Trenna Bowman Garcia
2729 N Eureka Ave
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Cell: 208.870.7913
trennajo@gmail.com

Promise to live the creed 1.10

The Optimist International Essay Contest has grown in popularity over the past few years with more and more students choosing to write an essay about an optimistic topic in an effort to win a $2,500 scholarship. This year promises to bring a great number of contestants in the Pacific Northwest with Trenna Bowman Garcia serving as the chairperson for Optimist Clubs in the PNW.

The topic for the 2016-17 school year is: "Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges."

Students under the age of 18 as of October 1, 2016 are eligible to enter. Contests start at the club level and each club determines the timeline for its local event. 

The PNW District must receive your club's winning entry by February 28, 2017. Clubs may view a planning guide here. 

Contact Trenna for more information. 

Like all PNW District officers and chairpersons, Trenna has promised to live the Optimist Creed this year and every year. 

You can make the promise, too, by sending your photo here. 

It's time to write!

The Optimist International Essay Contest is underway and in the PNW District-Optimist International, we encourage your Optimist Club to get involved. Over the past six years, this program has been gaining popularity among young students and scholars and many are looking for Optimist Clubs to sponsor the program so they may begin their quest for the $2,500 scholarship awarded by the Optimist International Foundation on behalf of the PNW District.

As you probably know, all scholarship programs begin at the Optimist Club level. Click here for a detailed handbook about how to host the Optimist International Essay Contest in your Optimist Club. 

PNW Optimist Clubs must have their entries to District Chairperson Trenna Bowman Garcia by February 28, 2017.

The topic for the 2016-2017 Optimist International Essay Contest is "Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges." Students may click here for the entry form with detailed rules and guidelines for their submissions.

While all rules are the same, Optimist Clubs set their own contest entry dates and club-level awards, if any. Please find an Optimist Club near you to enter.

We look forward to seeing even more PNW Optimist Clubs involved this year because, after all, more club participants means more student participants! Good luck to all.

Optimist International announces themes for 2015-2016 Scholarship Contests

Themes for the Optimist International Scholarship Contests have been announced for 2015-2016.

Optimist Clubs are encouraged to share the theme and contest rules with schools and teachers early, as school is getting started, in order to get the greatest participation. All contests must begin at the Optimist Club level.

More information about the new Optimist International Oratorical Contest where students may win up to $22,500 will be discussed at the PNW District Convention.

Also new this year for the Oratorical and Essay contests, students must be under the age of 18 as of September 30 October 1 of the Optimist International administrative year. The Optimist International administrative year runs from October 1 to September 30.

The Optimist International Essay Contest takes place between September and February.  The official topic for 2015-16 is "Lead by Example: Reality or Fiction." Download the entry form. 

The Optimist International Oratorical Contest takes place between January and May. The official topic for 2015-16 is "How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others." Download the entry form. 

The Optimist International Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing takes place between January and May. The official topic for 2016-16 is "How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others."  Download the entry form.

Updated July 30, 2015. 

Hillsboro Optimist Club hosts Essay Contest

The Optimist Club of Hillsboro, Oregon celebrated the winners of the Optimist International Essay Contest on Tuesday, February 10, 2015. Shown here are Essay Chair Sarah Newton, Nidhi Pai, first place, Alicia Strelchun, second place, Scott Ackerman, third place and Club President George Waldron.

The Hillsboro Optimist Club has renamed its contest the John Bareis Essay Scholarships in honor of long-time member John Bareis who first nurtured and helped the contest grow in the community.

Like all club-level contests, the students were required to write a 700 to 800 word essay on the topic "Optimism Should be a Priority." The first place entry is then moved forward to the district competition where it may win a $2,500 scholarship.

In the Hillsboro Optimist Club, the winning entries received $500, $300 and $200 monetary awards. All students were from Glencoe High School. Glencoe will also receive a $100 award for the school with the most entries.

Optimist Club Essay Contest Timeline

Is your Optimist Club working on the Optimist International Essay Contest? I hope so! It's one of the great opportunities that all Optimist Clubs have to interact with students in a way that lets them earn money for college.

This week Robin Stanhope, PNW District Chair of the Optimist International Essay Contest wrote in to share the following note:

Hello everyone, welcome to the new Optimist Year. 

I want to share information with you for the Essay Contest this year. This contest gives youth the opportunity to write about their opinions regarding themselves and the world around them. This year's topic is "Optimism Should be a Priority." The contest is open to students under the age of 19 and have not graduated from high school or the equivalent, regardless of the Contest date. United States students attending school on military installations outside the U.S. are also allowed to participate in the contest. These students are eligible to enter in their last U.S. home of record.

Please submit your winners to me for the District Competition no later than February 28, 2015. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. I have sent out information to Club Presidents, Lt governors and Club Chairs in reference to the Essay Contest. If you did not receive the information please contact me at rastanhope@gmail.com. 

Timeline for Essay Contest
Feb 28, 2015 Clubs and/or Regional have winners submitted to District
Apr 15, 2015 District have winners submitted to OI

Thank you,
Robin Stanhope
PNW District Essay Chair

Optimist goes from British Columbia to India to share hope and positive vision

K.P. Aujilay, member, Optimist Club of Vancouver, BC wrote in this week with a story of international proportions. Read on! 

For the last 12 years I have been coordinating Oratorical and Essay Contests for the Vancouver Optimist Club. I am amazed at the insight of young students now a days. They are not only thinking of their own communities they are also aware of what goes on the world. 

I was born in India. Realizing that this spirit of optimism could do wonders for children in developing countries like India I often wondered the best way to assist children in my country of birth.

Optimist International does not have Optimist Clubs in India. But this did not stop me. With financial assistance from my family,ten years ago I started holding Essay Contests at local colleges close to where my parents live. Education and Sports are my passion. This passion also encouraged me to start holding Annual Track Meet for Elementary and High School students for schools close to where my parents live in India. 

It has been an amazing and fulfilling experience. It also taught me that rich or poor children are always full of dreams. I am glad that I am able to assist in bringing out the best in kids; kids that do not get the same opportunities that our kids get in developed countries.

Well done, K.P.! Thank you for sharing your optimism abroad and at home.

Optimist International Essay Contest deadline is February 28

Is your Optimist Club sponsoring the Optimist International Essay Contest this year? We sure hope so. The scholarship contests are a simple way to be a friend of youth for they provide a platform for students to share their thoughts and goals. This year, Essay Contest participants will write about the topic "How dreams lead to success."

District Chair Karon Yaden wrote in today to provide the following support and instruction at this time.

Hi Optimist Club Members, 

I love the Essay Scholarship program. As a retired high school teacher, I knew this was the club project I wanted to work with. I love to read the students essays. It is fun to work with the younger students; however there is such satisfaction seeing growth in the student's education as shown in their abilities to write an essay.

As District Essay Chairman, I am anxiously waiting for you to send to me your 1st place winning essay. Just as a reminder the deadline date is February 28th. The entry fee is now $50.00. Remember there are expenses in this District contest. Isn't it exciting to know your 1st place student essay could be the winner of the $2,500.00 scholarship? Please contact me at b.yaden@comcast.net if you have questions. 

Your club may not have had a contest this year. PLAN NOW FOR NEXT YEAR.

Karon Yaden, PNW District Essay Chairman

You may reach Karon by email or phone 503.650.9506.

Optimist International Essay Contest Update

The PNW District has been alerted to a typographical error on the Optimist International Essay Contest entry form. It appears in Sections V and VI regarding scoring and penalties.  As printed, the penalties of self identification and proper word count appear in Section V (scoring of contest) and they should be in Section VI (penalties).

We don't think that this should prevent students from participating, but we wanted to let Optimist Clubs and Essay Contest chairpersons know so that they may advise the complete rules to participants and especially teachers who are encouraging their classes to be involved.

The correct rules may be found on PAGE 5 of the Club Planning Guide. Sections V and VI appear here as they should appear on the entry form. We anticipate that Optimist International will correct the form and post it to the website soon.

Please consider sharing the complete rules from the Club Planning Guide, found on pages 4 and 5, with your Optimist International Essay Contestants.

Download the Essay Contest Club Chair Planning Guide here.

You asked for it; you got it!

District Essay Chair Karon Yaden was being super-efficient when she asked that Optimist Clubs turn their entries into her by February 10. However, due to a public outcry for more time, she says, "Of course!" 

The new, revised, and more in line with what you have done in the past (and what Optimist International suggests) date is now February 28. Please submit your club winner to her by that time. She says: 

All I can say is I hope you will forgive me for putting a RUSH on your essay contest. RELAX. Please now take your time in the month of February and DO GET the club's winning essay and forms and your club's $35.00 to me by February 28th. Now the rush will be on me. 

I know each of you have and are working hard on your essay contest. They will be successful and very much rewarding. I have had several inquiries. Some I have directed to clubs near the student others will be in the "At Large" group. These students are our future Optimists. Please make contact with the parents. Introduce Optimism and your club and all its activities for youth to the parents. I believe this is a place and opportunity to reach new members.

Thank you, club and club members for holding the essay contest. You have given these students the opportunity to express their thoughts on "How Can I Help My Friends Realize Their Value?," get experience in writing an essay and receiving acknowledgement and reward from your club. 

May I encourage each club that did not hold an essay contest to do so next year. The personal and club gratification is very rewarding.

Karon Yaden
PNW District Essay Chairman
b.yaden@comcast.net

PNW District - Optimist International Essay Contest 2013

The time is drawing near for the completion of your Optimist Club's Essay Contest. Chairperson Karon Yaden recently shared her thoughts via the district bulletin: 

Optimist Essay Contest

"How can I help my friends realize their value"

How is your club doing on the Essay Contest? I am sure your contest is well on the way. You have made your contacts, "Application and a copy of the Official Rules" are in the hands of students, you have set the date for essays to arrive to the Essay Chairman, you have the judges selected and they are anxiously waiting to read the essays.

These students are future OPTIMISTS; let's make this a fun experience for them. Show them your club is here for theYOUTH. They need the Club's encouragement and support.
The DATE that is important for you now is February 10th 28*. Look ahead for all the information and the form that you are to remit with $35.00 to this chairman. PLEASE, PLEASE e-mail me at b.yaden@comcast.net a YES our club is having a contest or NO our club is not having a contest. I would like to save postage! 

What a challenge as Optimists we have to reach the young people and their parents. Do not forget to reach out to the parents and bring them into your club as new members.

Keep up the Optimist work and spirit.
Karon Yaden
PNW District Essay Chairman

Please let Karon know if your club is participating this year.

*Due date was changed by Karon on January 23.

Students, start writing!

The kids are headed back to school in just a few short weeks! That means it is time to begin communicating with students, parents and teachers about the Annual Optimist International Essay Contest.

The topic this year is "How My Positive Outlook Benefits My Community."

Students under the age of 18 as of December 31, 2011 may compete for a $2,500 scholarship by writing 700 to 800 words on the assigned topic and submitting their entry to the local Optimist Club. 

The contest begins at the club level. First place entries from all clubs are forwarded to the District level where the essay is judged against all other club winning entries to achieve the $2,500 award. 

District winners are forwarded to the international level where the top essay writer is recognized in The Optimist magazine.

This contest has become quite popular in the PNW District. Please be sure to review the rules pad and club chair package because there are some changes to the contest this year. 

• Entry form for students
• Club planning guide

Students: to find your local Optimist Club in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington or British Columbia, please use the links on the left side of this page. Please be aware that not all Optimist Clubs participate in this contest. 

Chilliwack Optimist Club shows off their winning essay contestants

Glenda Standeven presented medallions and prize money to the first, second and third place winners for the Chilliwack Optimist Club Essay Contest at a dinner recognition ceremony at Dakota's Restaurant on Saturday, April 2.

Standeven, chairperson for this event and a writer as well, said that it was difficult for the judges to choose a winner because all of the entries were excellent. The first place essay moves forward to the District Level competition where it will be judged with entries from other Optimist Clubs in British Columbia, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The winner at that level earns a $2,500 scholarship.

Shown in the picture: Glenda Standeven, Elizabeth Ogunrinola, Cody Moore and Thomas Davies


Please send a snapshot of  your scholarship contest winners to the District Blog. We want to include everyone in a photo album.  Thank you.