The Optimists of Arkansas City have issued a call for entries into the 2021 Optimist International Essay Writing Contest. A local winner will receive a $500 scholarship. A release says the contest gives young people the opportunity to express their views on a central topic, develop writing skills, and compete for multiple college scholarships. The essay conest is open to any Ark City student who is younger than 19 as of October 1, 2020. The deadline for students to submit essays is noon on February 23rd. The 2020-2021 essay topic is “Reaching Your Dreams by Choosing Optimism.” You can get an application form online at optimist.org.