The Optimist Club of Butler County is encouraging area students to contemplate the phrase “How Can I Help My Friends Realize Their Value?” as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for 2013.

The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ essays and determine the winners. Winners will receive awards and the winning essays will be sent to the district level.  Essays will be judged at the district level, and each district will send top entries to the international level. College scholarships are available for winners at the district level. District winners are entered into the international-level judging, and one first-place winner will be awarded an engraved plaque and recognition in The Optimist magazine.

“Young students today have so many fresh ideas about the world and their future,” Club President Deirdre R. Womack said. “As Optimists, it is our goal to encourage them and do what we can to bring out the best in each of them. This gives them a wonderful opportunity to tap into their creativity and pursue possible scholarships at the same time.”

The Optimist Club of Butler County has been participating in the Optimist Essay Contest for 17 years and has been active in the community since 1993.

The contest deadline is January 11. Students wishing to participate in the essay contest can find out more about the contest by contacting the club at club29014.2012@optimistmail.org.