Optimist Opportunities

Hunter won 3rd place in the Optimist Essay Contest (and a nice $100 for his efforts) but I've misplaced his essay!

Porter won 2nd place in the Optimist Oratorical Contest, with a $150 bonus. I never got his picture, but this was his speech:

"This speech is on how my optimism helps me overcome obstacles. Starting in February and ending in May was my school's track season. The event that is the cause of why I participate in track is pole vaulting. Pole vaulting can be viewed as many things but in this case, to me pole vaulting is like trials that must be overcome by using optimism. In this particular example, the pole vaulting pole would represent optimism, and the trial would be the bar. My father once told me that if you took the bar down, and then jumped, you would most likely get over it, because you have no fear of hitting the bar. If we viewed life this way, we would overcome our trials easier than we do now. Also relating to pole vaulting, two more pieces of equipment can be pulled into the equation. The pit, or mat, which you land on after your jump, can be compared to a support system, family, community, or religious congregation that catches you when you fall.  When my eight year old cousin died, having my foundation of religious beliefs, and my support of family, enabled me to overcome this difficult time in my life. The box, where you plan the pole, before your jump, can be compared to a foundation, one upon which everything else is built.

I recently read a book by Lemony Snickett entitled "The Miserable Mill." This book was the fourth in a series about three orphans who have a life in which everything that can go wrong, does. This book had the three children being forced to work at a lumber mill. Their stay was made more pleasant by an optimist, or as the book calls him, a zealot. Instead of seeing everything that could go wrong, he saw the best in everything that could go right.

In the past month I have embarked on my eagle scout project for the Boy Scouts of America. The project requires many tedious and trying tasks which I probably would not wish to endure without optimism. The project continues through help from family and friends, who refuse to believe that something is impossible. As I now enter the third week of working on this project, not once have I ever heard another member of the volunteers for my project complain. Their example and willingness helps me to continue to be optimistic that I will finish my project and it will be successful.

Throughout history men have remained both optimistic and pessimistic. One example of optimism, beginning just a few hours northwest of this area, is the story in the fight for flight. The Wright brothers, working together and supporting each other in their endeavor to fly, remaining optimistic, won the race. These men of history will always be remembered for the strength of belief and foundation of brotherhood, succeeding where others were unable. Remaining optimistic can help you as it has helped me overcome obstacles by giving you the extra boost you may need to succeed."