Optimist International Essay Contest - 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 additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship. Optimist International assigns a new topic each year and provides the rules and guidelines for holding this essay contest for students. The Northridge Optimist Club club conducts a local level of the contest in conjunction with Northridge schools. The winning contestant’s essay is then eligible to compete for scholarship awards with other student essays at the Optimist District (state) level.
Left to right: Front row - Mariah Leonard (3rd place), Elizabeth Shinlever (1st place), Layla Siler (2nd place), Erica Swartz, Justin McKay. Back row - Adina Dodds (teacher), Krista Parton, Katie Bergman, Jaelyn Freed, and Michael Baker.
2017 Contest:
• Students in the Northridge High School ninth grade honors English class recently completed entries in the Optimist International Essay Contest, sponsored by Northridge Optimist Club. The topic of this year’s contest was “Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges”. An awards meeting was held during a pizza luncheon at the high school on Tuesday, March 4 to recognize the finalists. The winners were introduced by their teacher, Adina Dodds, who presented them with their awards. The first place award went to Elizabeth Shinlever, second to Layla Siler, and third to Mariah Leonard. They each received an Olympic style medallion (gold, silver and bronze), a certificate for their placing, an Essay Contest pin, an Optimist stylus pen, and a gift card. Certificates were also presented for Honorable Mention for Jaelyn Freed, Justin McKay, Erica Swartz, Krista Parton, Katie Bergman, and Michael Baker. They also received a contest pin and a stylus pen and a gift card. Elizabeth's winning essay will now compete statewide with other winning student essays for a chance at a $2500 scholarship from Optimist International. A certificate of thanks and gift cards were also given to Ms. Dodds for her efforts in directing the contest and inspiring the students to create their excellent essays. In addition to the students, teacher, and Optimist members, Northridge Schools Superintendent Dave Jackson and Northridge Schools Counselor Trish Engle were also in attendance. See more photos in the slide show below.
• Students in the Northridge High School ninth grade honors English class recently completed entries in the Optimist International Essay Contest, sponsored by Northridge Optimist Club. The topic of this year’s contest was “Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges”. An awards meeting was held during a pizza luncheon at the high school on Tuesday, March 4 to recognize the finalists. The winners were introduced by their teacher, Adina Dodds, who presented them with their awards. The first place award went to Elizabeth Shinlever, second to Layla Siler, and third to Mariah Leonard. They each received an Olympic style medallion (gold, silver and bronze), a certificate for their placing, an Essay Contest pin, an Optimist stylus pen, and a gift card. Certificates were also presented for Honorable Mention for Jaelyn Freed, Justin McKay, Erica Swartz, Krista Parton, Katie Bergman, and Michael Baker. They also received a contest pin and a stylus pen and a gift card. Elizabeth's winning essay will now compete statewide with other winning student essays for a chance at a $2500 scholarship from Optimist International. A certificate of thanks and gift cards were also given to Ms. Dodds for her efforts in directing the contest and inspiring the students to create their excellent essays. In addition to the students, teacher, and Optimist members, Northridge Schools Superintendent Dave Jackson and Northridge Schools Counselor Trish Engle were also in attendance. See more photos in the slide show below.
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The members of the Northridge Optimist Club pass along their thanks to all of the students for their fine essays, to Northridge High School and staff for hosting the event, to the judges (Tina Rezash Rogal, Kristen Tomlinson, and Brenda Snider) for their significant efforts, and especially to Mrs. Dodds who put in a lot of extra effort on the project. The contest would not be possible without a dedicated teacher to direct the students, and her fine efforts are much appreciated.
Northridge Optimist Club 
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