Essay Contest

We are proud to announce the Essay - by Heidi Martinez won the District Level for Zone 2!!

Canton Optimist Club Essay Chair Rachel Ashe said Heidi's essay really stood out to our judges and our club as a whole. The challenges she addresses in her essay are challenges many teens face in silence. We are extremely proud of Heidi and hope she continues to use her gift to shine a light on depression and the path towards healing.

The Canton Optimist Club partners each year for our Essay Contest with Cherokee High School. Each club holds their own essay contest to determine winners. The 1st place winner then moves on to District level. There are a total of 9 clubs within our District.

Chair: Rachel Ashe

Theme: Is Optimism the Key to Achieving the Dreams You IMagine?

1st - Heidi Martinez

2nd- A'Nya Schofield (Sequoyah HS)

3rd - Roberto Pienado

Chair Rachel Ashe said, every year I am blown away by our essay entries. We have so many gifted students here in our County.

President Lori Flink said Canton Optimist Club is thrilled to be able to offer programs like the Optimist Essay Contest that allows kids to shine in our Community. I'm very proud of all the participants and winners. Each winner received a medal, plaque and a monetary gift.

Read each Essay winner below.