ESSAY CONTEST

INTRODUCTION

Optimist International holds an Essay Contest for students 18 and under. The rules and procedures are available on International’s website. The rules must be followed in order for a Club’s winner to be submitted to District for competition. The following steps are what I have done in the past.

PROCEEDURES

  • Start working on this project in the middle of October
  • Order Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals from the Optimist Store-See International Website.
  • Contact Nanci Gelsey, counselor at Abbott Middle School
  • Go over rules and procedures with Nanci. Email her the Essay Chairperson’s Packet (on OI’s Website). This contains all needed information.
  • Abbott is responsible for distributing the information to its students and staff
  • Winning Essays must be judged by the middle of February for consideration for submission to District. Nanci screens submitted essays and has the essays for consideration ready for judging. I usually pick them up at Abbott
  • Nanci keeps the Title Page of each Essay and just hands me the Essays numbered numerically at the right hand corner of each page. Each essay, therefore is anonymous.
  • I select three judges. At least one of the judges should be a school person. WBHS’s Jennifer McQuillan and Jim Corcoron (English Teachers) have been tremendous judges. Contact Jennifer and she will do the rest. Judging takes place at WBHS usually in the Principal’s office with permission.
  • The judges use the procedure outlined in the Essay Chairperson’s packet for judging. Important: The Gold Medal winner must fill out the form on the Rules and Regulations section. Nanci will make sure this is done.
  • Winning Essay is submitted to District. It’s very difficult to get accurate information on how and where to send the winning Essay. Website information is not the best.
  • I print certificates of “Honorary Mention” to all students who submit an essay. I print Gold, Silver and Bronze framed certificates to the three winners. The framed certificates are presented when the students read their essays to the club. Medals are also presented at this time.
  • I work with the Club’s president to set a date where the First, Second, and Third place winners read their essays at a club meeting. Families of the students are invited.
  • Bill Bertakis takes pictures and publicity chair ( most of the time it’s me) submits article to media.
  • The three students are invited to walk with the Club during the Memorial Day parade.