Events Calendar

  • Meridian Optimist Christmas Tree Fundraiser

    Event Date: 10/14/2025

    Meridian Optimist Christmas Tree Sale

    This is the major fundraiser for the Meridian Optimist Club each year and it supports the many projects we do throughout the year. Such as: our essay and oratorical scholarship programs; annual Easter egg hunt; food baskets for those in need; the Meridian Optimist Junior Air Rifle Club; and The Meridian Food Bank and much more.

  • 12 Guns of Christmas Raffle

    Event Date: 10/15/2025

    Going on now!

    For more information or to purchase tickets contact Bert Moore at 208-949-3763; Kirk Farnsworth at 208-850-6729; Janet Simmons at 208-440-8531; or Mike Harris at 208-484-8529

  • Optimist International Essay Contest

    Event Date: 10/16/2025

    Topic for the 2025-2026 school year is: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”   If you are interested, you may obtain rules and application here - Essay Contest Application Deadline for essays to be turned into the Meridian Optimist Club is January 23, 2026. 

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 an 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, 2024, and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. Contestants are eligible for only one Club's contest during any given year. No student who has previously won an 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.

The official Topic for the 2025-2026 school year is:

“How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”

Deadline for essays to be turned into the Meridian Optimist Club is January 23, 2026.  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, 2024, and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, 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.

Topic for the 2025-2026 contest year is

“The Moment I Realized I Belonged — My Definition of Community”

The Club level competition will be held March 16 2026. Please check our Events Calendar for the exact date and location For more information please contact Mike Harris 208-484-8529 or

Click here to download Oratorical Contest Rules and Entry Form