The 2022-2023 Optimist Essay topic was ” Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?” There were 26 entries between GACC and WPB high schools. Three independent judges ranked them blind. The judges did not know who wrote which essay. Optimist International selects a new topic based on optimism each year. The West Point Optimist Club has been doing the contest for over 20 years.
West Point Optimist Club honors the top 10 at a meeting. They get lunch and movie and snack passes from the club. The top three also get a cash prize. The top three essays read their essays at Wednesday’s meeting. The top essay is sent on to the state competition.
This year’s winners were: Sydney Hutchinson, Helena Steffensmeier, Evan Schuetze, Nicholas Daberkow, Kayla Hickey, Briana Gonzales, Joelle Peatrowsky, third place Bryce Bailey, second place Meg Anderson, and first place Jaycee Ortmeier.
The book Ann Beckenhauer gave to all the winners: “The Boy, The More, The Fox, The Horse”. It won the 2023 Oscar for best short animated film.
