The Optimist Club of Hillsboro, Oregon celebrated the winners of the Optimist International Essay Contest on Tuesday, February 10, 2015. Shown here are Essay Chair Sarah Newton, Nidhi Pai, first place, Alicia Strelchun, second place, Scott Ackerman, third place and Club President George Waldron.The Hillsboro Optimist Club has renamed its contest the John Bareis Essay Scholarships in honor of long-time member John Bareis who first nurtured and helped the contest grow in the community.
Like all club-level contests, the students were required to write a 700 to 800 word essay on the topic "Optimism Should be a Priority." The first place entry is then moved forward to the district competition where it may win a $2,500 scholarship.
In the Hillsboro Optimist Club, the winning entries received $500, $300 and $200 monetary awards. All students were from Glencoe High School. Glencoe will also receive a $100 award for the school with the most entries.
