WABASH, Ind. – Wabash Optimist Club honored three area high school students who were winners in the Optimist International Essay Contest during the club’s regular meeting at Michael’s Diner Wednesday morning. The students were honored with medallions and a certificate of achievement. Sixty-six students had written essays, competing at the local level, using the theme ”Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges.”
First place winner Ariel Benner was honored with a gold medal. She read her winning essay that has been sent to Muncie for judging at the Regional level. Ariel, a freshman at Southwood High School, was accompanied by her parents, Angie Benner and Jim Benner, Southwood principal Andrew McDaniel, and Mike Keaffaber, superintendent of MSD of Wabash County schools. Her English teacher is Michelle Sparling.
Second place winner Elliot Nesler was honored with a silver medal. He is a senior at Northfield High School. He was accompanied by his father, Joel, as well as the Mr. Keaffaber, Northfield principal Paul Voigt, and his English teacher Denise Stouffer.
Jordan Bratch, also a senior from Northfield High School, received a bronze medal for ranking third. She was accompanied by her parents Bill and Linette Burchett, her English teacher Ryan Sincroft, and principal Voigt and superintendent Keaffaber. Both second and third place winners also read their essays to the club.
The local club issued certificates of achievement to all sixty-six student entrants. The club also expressed appreciation to the English teachers in all four county high schools who encouraged students to enter essays and the three judges for this year’s competition Pam Campbell, Pam Guthrie, and Beth Miller.
The essay contest is one of the major projects sponsored by the local club each year. Other projects include a local scholarship to a graduating senior from any Wabash County high school. Applications are available from Community Foundation of Wabash County. The Optimist International motto is “Bringing Out the Best in Kids”. Their positive service projects reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about the Wabash Club, you may contact club president Charlie Guthrie at 260-415-3551. Meetings are at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesdays at Michael’s Diner.