The Optimist Club of the North Okanagan is encouraging area students to contemplate the phrase, “How I can help my friends realize their values,” as part of an Optimist International Essay contest for 2013.
Winners will receive awards and the winning essays will be sent to the district level where college scholarships are available.
“Young students today have so many fresh ideas about the world and their future,” club president Jan Mori says. “As optimists, it is our goal to encourage them to do what we can to bring out the best in each of them.
“This gives them a wonderful opportunity to tap into their creativity and pursue possible scholarships at the same time.”
Living up to their motto – “Bringing Out the Best in Kids,” optimists conduct service projects that reach more that six million young people each year.
The North Okanagan Optimist Club was chartered in 2011 and since then has been involved in a number of projects involving young people.
As well as the essay contest, the club is again co-sponsoring the upcoming Children’s Christmas Workshop and will co-sponsor the “Unplug and Play” planned for the North Okanagan in the new year.
Students wishing to participate in the essay contest can get more information by contacting Ina at 250-546-0021 and iforrest11@gmail.com or Lesley at 250-275-2676 and essay2013@gmail.com.