Optimist International Essay Contest
Scholarship Sponsored by Optimist International
Overview
Optimist International sponsors an annual Essay Contest to give young people a chance to express their views about the world around them, drawing on personal, national, or historical perspectives. In addition to strengthening written communication skills, the contest offers participants the opportunity to earn college scholarship support.
Eligibility
- Entrants must be younger than 19 years old on October 1 of the current Optimist International contest year (contest year runs October 1–September 30).
- Students must not have finished secondary school or an equivalent program; this includes CEGEP students in Québec, Canada.
- There is no minimum age to enter.
- Each student must compete in the District where they live.
- U.S. students who attend school on military bases outside the United States may enter in the District of their last U.S. home of record.
Topic
"How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me"
How to Enter
1. Contact your local Optimist Club to enter the contest and obtain details.
2. Prepare and submit an essay answering the assigned topic above.
3. If you need a club contact, e-mail the Optimist Programs Department at programs@optimist.org.
Note: The Essay Contest planning pages are designed for Optimist Clubs to run and manage local contests and do not provide a method for students to enter. Students must reach out directly to their local Optimist Club.
Timeline and Deadlines
- Club-level contests are conducted by early February. Student entries will not be accepted after the club contests have concluded. For specific dates, check with your District Chair.
- Clubs must forward their club winner’s essay to the District Chair by February 28, 2026.
- Districts must submit their winner’s information to Optimist International by April 15, 2026.
Awards
Club winners move on to the District competition, where they compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. District-level scholarships are provided by the Optimist International Foundations.