Scholarship Programs
Optimist International Essay Contest
The Optimist International Essay Contest is divided into two levels of competition: Club and District. Contestants must compose an original essay with limited guidance from others. Webster's dictionary defines and essay as an analytic or interpretative literary composition. Works of fiction or poetry will not be accepted.
The contest is open to students under age 19 as of October 1, , 2020, and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada. Contestants are eligible for only one Club's contest during any given year. No student who has previously won and Optimist Essay contest scholarship will be eligible to compete at any level of the competition again. The Meridian Optimist Club awards the first three places with cash awards.
First place receives $200
second place receives $150 and
third place receives $100.
The Club level winning Essay will be submitted to the District Level Contest for the opportunity of winning a $2,500 scholarship.
“Reaching your Dreams by Choosing Optimism”
Deadline for essays to be turned into the Meridian Optimist Club is February 8, 2021. For more information you may contact Mike Harris 208-484-8529 or
Click here to download Essay Contest Rules and Entry Form
Optimist International Oratorical Contest
The Optimist International Oratorical contest will begin at the Club level, proceed to the Zone/Regional level and end at the District level.
The contest is open to students under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2020, and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada, There is no minimum age. A contestant is eligible to enter/compete in only one Optimist Oratorical contest during a contest year. Each contestant shall prepare his or her own speech. The contestant may receive advice in the preparation of the speech and may make minor changes or improvements in the speech at any time. A student who has won a District Oratorical scholarship is not eligible to compete at any level of the competition again.
The Meridian Optimist Club awards the first three places with cash awards. First place receives $200, second place receives $150, and third place receives $100. .
District Level winners receive scholarships of $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 for First, Second, and Third.
“Healing the World with Optimism”
The Club level competition will be held in late February 2021. Please check our Events Calendar for the exact date and location For more information please contact Bill Garcia (208) 870-7975 or
Click here to download Oratorical Contest Rules and Entry Form
Optimist International Communication Contest for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)
The Optimist International CCDHH contest will begin at the Club level, proceed to the Zone/Regional level and end at the District level.
The contest is open to young people through grade 12 in the United States and Canada, to CEGEP in Quebec and grade 13 in the Caribbean. Students must have a hearing loss of 40 decibels or more in order to be eligible to participate. Participants must submit an audiogram done within 24 months of the date of the contest from a qualified audiologist. Students must be certified to have uncorrected hearing loss of 40 decibels or more, which must be supported by the audiogram in order to be eligible to compete. Students attending either public school or schools providing special services are eligible to enter if criteria are met.
A student who has won a District CCDHH scholarship is not eligible to compete at any level of the competition again.
The Meridian Optimist Club awards the first three places with cash awards. First place receives $200, second place receives $150, and third place receives $100.
District Level is divided into two categories, ‘Oral’ and ‘ASL’. The first place winner in each category will receive a scholarship of $2,500.
“Just iMagine a World without Boundaries?”
The Club level competition will be held the beginning of April 2020. Please check our Events Calendar for the exact date and location. For more information please contact Kimberly Bowers (208) 407-0988 or
Click here to download CCDHH Contest Rules and Entry Form