Applications open for 2025-26 Optimist Essay Contest
The Optimist Club of Cicero–North Syracuse is sponsoring its annual Essay Contest, offering students the chance to earn a top award of a $2,500 college scholarship. This year, eligibility has expanded to include all students in grades 8–12, under the age of 19, who live within the boundaries of the North Syracuse Central School District. Entries for the 2025–26 theme, “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me,” are due by January 16, 2026.
“We’re thrilled to open the contest to 8th grade students for the first time,” said Robert Crabtree, President of the CNS Optimist Club. “Last year’s winner, Megan Mieves, not only earned our local title but went on to win the greater New England competition and a $2,500 scholarship. We’ve seen strong participation over the past several years, and we hope even more students will share their voices and experiences this year.”
Contest rules:
- Each entry must have a title page containing: the official topic, number of words, writer’s name and address, phone number, name of school and birth date.
- At the top of page 1 (one) should be the official essay topic and number of words.
- Entries must be typewritten and double spaced.
- Essays must contain at least 700 words but no more than 800 words.
- Each page of the essay must be numbered starting with page 1 (one) of the essay, NOT the title page. The numbers must be centered at the bottom of each page.
- Any quotations or copyrighted material used must be identified properly.
- No references can be made in the essay that identifies the student, parents, school, community, sponsoring Optimist Club (CNS) or District (New York/New England).
- The entry must be stapled together in the upper left-hand corner. Covers of any type are NOT accepted.
- Vocabulary and style are very important: use figures of speech, similes, metaphors and quotations. Choice of words and use of descriptive phrases are very important.
The complete "official" rules are listed in full on the application.
Judges’ Scoring Rules:
- Material organization: 30 points
- Creativity: 15 points
- Vocabulary and style: 30 points
- Grammar, punctuation and spelling: 20 points
- Following contest rules: 5 points
Students should download and complete the required application, print it and give it to their English teacher with the completed essay.
