Essay Contest

This year's topic is: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”.

 The contest is designed to allow young people to express their opinions regarding the world in which they live. In addition to developing skills for critical thinking and written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship! 

The contest is open to students under age 19 (as of October 1, 2025) who have not yet graduated from high school and attend a local school. Entries should be between 700 and 800 words in the format specified in the contest rules.

Cash prizes of 1st Place: $500.00, 2nd Place $350.00, and 3rd Place $150.00 will be awarded by the Club. In addition, the first-place winning essay will be entered by the Club in the Optimist District contest, where a $2,500.00 scholarship will be awarded to the District winner. 

Copies of the Application Form and Contest Rules may be downloaded from this website. Deadline for entries is January 31st , 2026.

Any questions may be directed to the Essay Contest Chair, Debbie Corcoran, at 905-827-6128 or via email.