Essay Contest
Deerfield Optimists Essay Contest
The Deerfield Optimists have been running an essay contest for NSSED (North Shore Special Education District) Middle School students for almost 30 years. It gives these students a chance to win an academic award and to be celebrated for their academic efforts.
NSSED chooses a topic for the essay which complements the Middle School Language Arts Curriculum. NSSED then sends invitations to the Middle School teachers to have their students participate in the Essay Contest and to submit the completed essays to us sometime in March. A committee of fifteen Optimist volunteers read and judge the essays. We choose one student from every class for a “Best in Class” Award. The judges then choose three overall winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd place).
Invitations are sent out to all the teachers and the immediate families of the participating students, inviting them to an Awards Dinner held on the first Tuesday in May in the Deerfield High School Cafeteria. At the Awards Dinner, every student who submitted entries receives a Certificate of Participation. The “Best of Class” students are given a plaque. The three top winners receive a plaque and gift cards to Barnes and Noble ($100, $50 and $25). Teachers receive a $15 gift card as well.
Some topics that we used for past essay contests are:
If I could be any famous person, who would it be and why
How I touched the life of another person and how the experience changed me
Pick a place in the world and describe what your life might be like living in that location
I am Unique because…
Describe the most important lesson you have learned in your life so far. How did you learn the lesson, and how has it changed the way you think.
What is Grit? How has it helped you, or someone you know to succeed?
Last year we had 74 students from Highland Park, Northbrook and Glenview participate in the Essay Contest with around 200 people attending the Awards Dinner. This year we are hoping for additional districts and greater participation.
Contact us about the Essay Contest!