Garner Optimist Essay Contest

Enter to Win $2500 for College

The 2026 Essay Contest is now closed and the winners are:

1st Place – Christa Skye Sawyer (won $500 cash and is entered in the District Essay Competition for a chance to win $2500 in scholarship funds)

2nd Place – Noriah Hoffman (won $250 cash)

3rd Place – Masyn Pittman (won $100 cash)

Congratulations to this year’s winners on the topic “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”!

See below for the next opportunity to participate and potentially win.

The Garner Optimist Club is excited to offer the opportunity for local students to win cash prizes and, up to $2500 towards their college expenses.

The topic will be announced in September 2026 and the deadline to submit the application and essay will be January 2027.

Local students must be under 19 years of age and have permanent residence in the following ZIP codes:

27529, 27610, 27603.

Essays must be between 700-800 words and will be subject to AI screening.

To get the complete rules about the essay, click on the button below to learn more and apply!