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The Isle of Wight Optimist Club recently announced the winners of their annual essay contest. They are:

First — Brendan Cox, Smithfield High School

Second — Alicia Ray, Isle of Wight Academy

Third — Shaleah Tolliver, Lakeland High School

This year’s essay contest was based on the theme, “Is Optimism the Key to Achieving the Dreams You Imagine?”
The winners receive a monetary award and recognition at a club meeting. The first-place winner was submitted to the Optimist Club District competition for a chance to win a $2,500 scholarship.

“The students did a wonderful job with this year’s theme, and we are excited to see the level of participation from students in our area,” club President Michael Murphy said.

District 16 and the Isle of Wight Club have been participating in the Optimist Essay Contest for a number of years. Other programs and service projects that the Isle of Wight Optimist Club is involved in include school track teams, 4-H Camp, Sundays @ 4, and other opportunities that directly support youth.

Optimist International is one of the world’s largest service club organizations, 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, call 314-371-6000 or visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org.

To become part of the local club, call 334-4096.