Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Monday, March 27
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Community Service»EP Optimist Club recognizes student essay winners
    Community Service

    EP Optimist Club recognizes student essay winners

    By Staff ReportsMarch 17, 2023Updated:March 18, 20233 Mins Read
    Eden Prairie Optimist Club’s essay contest winners celebrated at an honorary reception on Feb. 27 alongside contest chairman Ryan Affolter (center). Submitted photo

    The Eden Prairie Optimist Club has recognized 13 students for their outstanding submissions in its annual essay contest, which asked participants to write about “Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?”

    Winners were presented with official certificates, medallions, and gift cards at a reception held on Feb. 27 at Star Bank in Eden Prairie. The essays are categorized into three age groups: Elementary, Middle School, and High School.

    Harini Senthilkumar

    The first-place winners in each category are:

    • Harini Senthilkumar, a student from Eden Prairie High School, was the overall first-place winner. Senthilkumar’s essay will be sent to the district level to be judged, along with winners from other Optimist Clubs in the DMM (Dakotas, Minnesota, Manitoba) District. College scholarships are available for top winners at the District level.
    • Lily Shusta of South View Middle School in Edina.
    • Hannah Foote of Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion.

    The second-place winners are:

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy
    • Kenny Evers of Eden Prairie High School.
    • Suhana Suthaharan of Valley View Middle School in Edina.
    • Karin Johnson of Highlands Elementary School in Edina.

    The runners-up are:

    • Allison Schuessler of Eden Prairie High School.
    • Madina Elmi of Edina High School.
    • Spandan Datta of Eden Prairie High School.
    • Bami Olofinboba of Central Middle School.
    • Yash Gupta of Central Middle School.
    • Maeve Atkinson of Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion.
    • Sasha Nimmagadda of Oak Point Elementary School.

    According to the Eden Prairie Optimist Club, the essay contest offers young people a platform to express their opinions about the world. Participants are encouraged to share personal experiences or offer perspectives on their country or historical events. In addition to developing written expression skills, the contest provides an opportunity to compete for a college scholarship.

    “All students did a wonderful job of articulating this year’s theme,” said Ryan Affolter, Optimist Club essay contest chairman. “They expressed themselves well through the essays and deserved the recognition. Young students today have so many fresh ideas about the world and their future. As Optimists, it is our goal to encourage them and do what we can to bring out the best in each of them. This gives them a wonderful opportunity to tap into their creativity and pursue possible scholarships at the same time.”

    The Eden Prairie Optimist Club has participated in the essay contest for more than 20 years and has been active in the community since 1978.

    Other programs and service projects organized by the Eden Prairie club include the Floyd Berntsen Annual Hooked on Fishing Event, the Annual Optimist Kids “OK5K” on the 4th of July, and the Eden Prairie Sings! competition.

    To learn more about the Eden Prairie Optimist Club, visit its Facebook page.

    • Lily Shusta of South View Middle School in Edina.
    • Hannah Foote of Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion.
    • Kenny Evers of Eden Prairie High School.
    • Suhana Suthaharan of Valley View Middle School in Edina.
    • Karin Johnson of Highland Elementary in Edina.
    • Allison Schuessler of Eden Prairie High School.
    • Bami Olofinboba of Central Middle School in Eden Prairie.
    • Yash Gupta of Central Middle School in Eden Prairie.
    • Maeve Atkinson of Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion School in Eden Prairie.
    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe

    Comments

    Comments aren’t allowed on our site, but we do offer several ways to provide feedback, and have your voice heard. If you believe the story has an error, or would like to get in touch with the author, please contact us. If you would like to respond directly to this article, we welcome and encourage Letters To the Editor. You can find details on how to submit a letter on our contact page.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleIndia’s vibrant festival culture: Holi celebrations promote unity, love, and joy
    Next Article EP invites residents to participate in Quality of Life Survey

    More to READ

    13 Mins Read

    Celebrating everyday heroes: Read three winning essays from the EP Optimist Club contest

    March 26, 2023
    2 Mins Read

    Reetz will leave EPHS in July to become White Bear Lake principal

    March 22, 2023
    3 Mins Read

    Community rallies around sick EPHS band teacher

    March 16, 2023
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Celebrating everyday heroes: Read three winning essays from the EP Optimist Club contest

    March 26, 2023

    Highway 101 to undergo pavement resurfacing in 2024

    March 25, 2023

    Noble Hill court case dismissed

    March 24, 2023

    Dean Phillips visits dad’s Vietnam War crash site; rubs elbows with South Korean stars

    March 24, 2023

    EP man seriously injured in Stearns County crash

    March 23, 2023
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2023
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

     

    Loading Comments...