Scholarship Opportunities

Essay Contest -- Application Deadline (Closed)

The application period has closed, and our judges are thoroughly reviewing each essay. Thank you to those who have applied. Notification will be made to all applicants when the top three essays are selected for award!

2020-2021 Optimist International Essay Contest Topic:

"Reaching Your Dreams By Choosing Optimism"

Focusing on this year's topic, participants have an opportunity to write about their opinions regarding the world in which they live. Their approach can encompass their personal experience, the experience of their country, or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing the skills for written expression, participants have the opportunity to win a college scholarship. The scholarships awarded from the Bay City Noon Optimist Club are as follows: First Place: $500, Second Place: $250, Third Place: $100. The Club’s first-place winner will advance to the District level contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The Michigan District Essay scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation, and the Jan Oord Endowment

Oratorical Contest -- Application Deadline (Closed)

2020-2021 Optimist International Oratorical Contest Topic:

"Healing The World With Optimism”

Since its start in 1928, the Optimist Oratorical Contest has become the longest-running program sponsored by Optimist International. The contest is designed for youth to gain experience in public speaking and provide them with the opportunity to compete for a college scholarship. The Bay City Noon Optimist Club participates in this program for students of Bay County, under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2020. Students have an opportunity to win a $500 scholarship for first place, $250 scholarship for second, and $100 scholarship for third place at the club level. First place winner advances to the next level of competition where the winner has the opportunity to advance to the Michigan District competition and compete for an additional $2500 for First Place, $1500 for Second Place, and $1000 for Third Place. The District Winner then has the chance to compete for an additional $20,000 in college scholarships. The Michigan District Oratorical Scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation and the Karen and Dana Monville Endowment

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Bay City Noon Optimist Scholarship Winners

2020-2021 Oratorical Contest Winners

1st Place: Andrew Steger, Midland High School

Andrew has won a educational, $500 scholarship from the Bay City Noon Optimist Club and will now advance to the next level at the Michigan District to compete for a $2500 scholarship. Winner of the Michigan District level will advance to the next level and have the chance to compete for an additional $20,000 in scholarships

2nd Place: Zoe Steger, Adams Elementary

Zoe has won an educational, $250 scholarship in the 2020-2021 Bay City Noon Optimist Club Oratorical Contest.

2020-2021 Essay Contest Winners

2020-2021 Oratorical Contest Winners

1st Place: Ethan Shorkey, Bay City Central High School

Ethan has won an educational, $500 scholarship from the Bay City Noon Optimist Club and will now advance to the Michigan District Contest and compete for an additional $2500 scholarship.

2nd Place: Joshua Dybas, Pinconning High School

Joshua has won the $250 2nd place scholarship in our club's 2020-2021 Essay Contest.

3rd Place: Brooklyn Cocier, Pinconning High School

Brooklyn has won the $100 3rd place scholarship in our club's 2019-2020 Essay Contest.

2019-2020 Oratorical Contest Winners

1st Place: Marisa Carroll, Bay City Western High

Marisa has won a $500 Club Scholarship, and will now advance to the next level at the Michigan District to compete for a $2500 scholarship. Winner of the Michigan District level will advance to the next level and have the chance to compete for an additional $20,000 in scholarships

2nd Place Makayla Wilcox, Bay City Western High Makayla has won a $250 2nd place scholarship in the 2019-2020 Bay City Noon Optimist Club Oratorical Contest

2019-2020 Essay Contest Winners

2019-2020 Oratorical Contest Winners

1st Place: Braden O'Brian, Pinconning High School

Braden has won a $500 scholarship from our club and will now advance to the Michigan District Contest and compete for an additional $2500 scholarship.

2nd Place: Megan McLaren, Pinconning High School Megan has won the $250, 2nd Place Scholarship in our club's 2019-2020 Essay Contest.