HOWELL – Several students were honored at the March Board of Education meeting for placing in the Annual Howell Optimist Club Essay and Oratorical Contests.
The contests are held in partnership between the Howell Optimist Club, Howell Alliance, and Howell Township Public Schools, as well as Farmingdale School. The goal of the contests is to tie the Alliance’s prevention and well-being mission to the contests’ focus on optimism.
“For eight consecutive years now, the Howell Township Public School District has proudly partnered with the Howell Optimist Club to offer middle school students in Howell and Farmingdale with two meaningful opportunities for self-expression – an essay contest and an oratorical contest,” said Adriana Silva, Supervisor of Language Arts Literacy/Gifted and Talented Programs. “The Howell Township Language Arts Department is thrilled to celebrate our students’ powerful voices through their writing and public speaking.”
This year 54 middle school students submitted original essays addressing the topic “How Optimism Has Paved My Road To Success.”
Additionally, 23 students submitted inspiring speeches to the Optimist Club’s oratorical contest exploring the theme “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times.”
On February 25, the top 10 speeches were delivered to a panel of judges. At the conclusion of that evening, awards were presented to the top three essayist and orators. Those students will now advance to the regional level where they will compete for scholarships of up to $2,500.
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, perfect self-expression, gain self-assurance, and improve communication skills. The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live.
Oratorical contest winners Summer Klusewicz, Danika Farrell, and Kaileigh Stark. (Photo courtesy Howell Public School District)
“The Howell Township Language Arts Department is grateful, so grateful, to have the support of our community partners and providing our students with authentic learning opportunities. Were especially thankful for Optimist International along with the Howell Optimist Club for creating a platform that encourages students to reflect deeply and share their unique perspectives, in this case, on the power of optimism,” Silva said.
Essay contest winners:
First Place – Alexander Kosenkov
Second Place – Gabriella Rossow
Third Place – Jaimee Tanguay
Oratorical contest winners:
First Place – Summer Klusewicz
Second Place – Danika Farrell
Third Place – Kaileigh Stark
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