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Local Optimist Club to sponsor essay contest for students

South Carolina District 22

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The Optimist Club of Clarendon is encouraging area students to contemplate the phrase “Is Optimism the Key to Achieving the Dreams you iMagine?” as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for the 2019-2020 school year.

The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ essays, based on the theme of “Is Optimism the Key to Achieving the Dreams you iMagine?” and determine the top winners. Winners will receive a $100 scholarship, and the winning essays will be sent to the district level where college scholarships are available for top winners.

“Young students today have so many fresh ideas about the world and their future,” Club President Brittany Tindal said. “As Optimists, it is our goal to encourage them and 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.”

The Optimist Club of Clarendon has been participating in the Optimist Essay Contest for three years and has been active in the community since 2017.  Last year, the club sponsored the overall state winner, William Shaw, and he received a $2500 scholarship at an awards program in Sumter.  Other programs and service projects that the Club is involved in include the Optimist Outlet at Bonanza Flea Market; Gold Bows for Curing Kids Cancer; Breakfast with Santa; camp sponsorships; and numerous donations to families and community organizations that support local children.

Students wishing to participate in the essay contest can find out more about the contest by contacting the club at optimistclubclarendon@gmail.com or through the club’s Facebook page.  The club meets on the second Thursday of each month at area restaurants, and welcomes new members anytime.

Optimist International is one of the world’s largest service club organization with 80,000 adult and youth members in 2,500 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, and throughout the world. Carrying the motto “Friend of Youth,” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year.  To learn more about Optimist International, please call (314) 371-6000 or visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org.