MONROE — The Monroe Morning Optimist club invites Green County youth under the age of 19, as of Oct. 1, 2020, to enter the Optimist International Essay Contest. Students must submit an application and essay of 700-800 words on the topic of “Reaching your Dreams by Choosing Optimism” by Jan. 28. 

Prizes of $150, $100 and $50 will be awarded to the top local winners with the first-place winner competing at the district level for a $2,500 post-secondary education scholarship.

Applications with contest rules can be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/OptimistEssay21. The sponsoring club name is: Monroe Morning Optimists, Number 09117. Students should turn in completed applications and essays to the Monroe Middle School or Monroe High School guidance offices, or they can contact Lisa Hendrickson at 608-558-0091 or via email at lisahen3@gmail.com.