Our local Club member judges read every submitted essay and award winners for first, second and third place. These local awards are $250, $150 and $100 respectively, funded by the Clarkston Area Optimist Club. These top-three winners will be asked to attend a Clarkston Area Optimist Club meeting, held locally here in Clarkston in February, to read their essay to the Club members and to receive their award.
Local Club winners advance to the district contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The district-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation.
The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person's personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!
Topic for the 2025-2026 school year is: How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me
Who is Eligible: Local Clarkston area students (public and private) under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2025 (and not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution). There is no minimum age. Click on the link below to view the flyer on this year's Essay Contest:
How To Enter: Interested students must submit an essay, on the assigned topic and a completed application, to the Clarkston Area Optimist Club no later than: Monday, December 8th, 2025. Click on the link below to view and/or download the Essay Contest Application:
Deadline: The deadline for submitting an essay for the 2025-2026 school year is: December 8th, 2025
When: Our local Club-level Essay Contest awards presentation is held in early to mid-February of each year.
Required: Each submission MUST include an application and coversheet. Review the rules on the application and additional tips on the flyer to be sure your submission meets the contest requirements.
Email completed essays and supportive documentation to: [email protected]
or USPS mail them to: Clarkston Area Optimist Club, PO Box 891, Clarkston, MI 48347