Author Archives: Kristy Michelle

The 2023 Optimist International Essay Contest is Now Open!

Topic for the 2022-2023 school year is: “Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?” 

The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada. There is no minimum age. Students must enter in the District in which they reside. U.S. students attending school on military installations outside the U.S. are eligible to enter in their last home of record.

The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!

Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations.

Download the application and submit your essay today!

22-23_essay_applicationDownload

The 2022 Optimist International Visual Arts Competition is Now Open!

The Buffalo Lafayette Optimist Club invites children ages 11 or younger to join this year’s Visual Arts Competition! Participants are encouraged to submit their paintings or drawings that illustrate what the word “Optimism” means to them for a chance to receive a scholarship from Optimist International. The deadline for entries is April 10, 2022.

Please download the attached form and fill out page 2 to accompany your child’s work of art. We then ask that you reach out to BLOC President Pauline Leacock (paulineanne240 @ gmail.com or text 716 523 5553) for instructions on where to deliver your child’s entry or if you have any further questions. We look forward to being inspired by your child’s creativity!

optimist_visual_arts_competitionDownload

BLOC at the Erie County Fall Fest!

Buffalo Lafayette Optimist Club was a big hit at the Erie County Fall Festival last Saturday, October 2.  Over 150 children took part in mini golf putting and Tic Tac Toe while the adults entered a drawing to hear about Optimism and the Buffalo Lafayette Optimist Club.

BLOC and Harrison’s Playmakers

We had such a fun day getting to help Harrison Phillips pay it forward to all these future Playmakers (and maybe some football stars in the making!). We could not be more happy to have gotten to spend the day with some members of the Bills and local Rotarians. It’s amazing what can happen when you’re trying to make a difference! Thank you so much to Harrison and Coach Roz for letting us be a part of such a great event, we can’t wait to help again in the future! Here’s some photos our members were able to snag of the day!

Buffalo Lafayette Optimist Club Charter Party

We are so overwhelmed by the support and generosity shown by so many Optimists as we celebrated our charter party and the anniversary of the first Optimist Club meeting. We had so much fun getting to know you and spending time hearing about the amazing work that you are doing in your communities. We are so inspired by the work you all do and hope to follow in your footsteps making a difference in the lives of children in our community. Thank you so much for all who care out to celebrate, or celebrated in spirit with us.

Photos by Alana Adetola Arts Photography.

Meet the President: Rebecca Butler Mona

Thank you so much to everyone who was able to make it out for this special meeting of the Buffalo Lafayette Optimist Club! It was a wonderful day, meeting with OI President Rebecca Butler Mona and Regional Vice President Cheryl Thames, learning more about the centennial year, and signing our incorporation papers! We’d also like to give an official welcome to newly inducted members, Tom, Mary and Karen, who had the privilege of getting inducted by President Rebecca!