ALBANY - Three students were recognized for their entries to the Optimist Club of Monroe's essay contest based on a theme of "Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges." Eighth-grade student Cecily Burch, daughter of Gary and Melissa Burch, was awarded $150 for her first-place winning essay. High school senior Matilda Weeden, daughter of Michael and Joanne Weeden, received $100 for her second-place essay, and high school senior Morgan Seffrood, daughter of Randy and Anna Seffrood, won $50 for her third-place essay.