Youth Programs

The Southfield-Lathrup Village Optimist Club is dedicated to supporting and uplifting young people through a variety of youth programs throughout the year. We proudly host Optimist International Scholarship contests, including the Essay and Oratorical competitions, as well as the Teen Mental Wellness Student Essay contest. Additionally, we offer the Robert and Susanne Di Giulio Memorial Senior Scholarship to recognize outstanding high school seniors. Through these initiatives, we encourage personal growth, academic achievement, and leadership development—helping our youth reach their fullest potential.

Student Essay Contest - Teen Mental Wellness Community Forum

The Optimist Club of Southfield-Lathrup Village is hosting an essay contest for 6th–12th grade students in Southfield and Lathrup Village.

📌 Essay Topics (Choose 2-4):
✅ How do you find joy each day?
✅ How do you take care of your mind and body?
✅ What mental health stigmas do you see on social media, and how would you combat them?
✅ What advice would you give adults on supporting youth mental health?

📅 Deadline: Monday, April 21, 2025
📩 Submit to: slvoptimist@gmail.com
🏆 Prizes: Monetary awards for 1st – 3rd place winners & potential scholarships!

Full contest application and details, below.

Let’s work together to stomp out mental health stigmas and promote resilience and diversity of mind. See you on May 4! 🌟

Essay Application/Details

🎉Spotlight on Noah Prince!🎉

Meet Noah Prince, an outstanding young leader making waves in his community! As the 1st place winner of both the 2024 Teen Mental Wellness Community Forum Essay Contest and the Southfield-Lathrup Village Optimist Club's Essay Contest, Noah’s words inspire change and spark important conversations.

Beyond his achievements in writing, Noah is dedicated to uplifting others through mentorship. As a proud member of the Youth Mentoring Program at Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield, he’s committed to guiding and empowering the next generation.

Join us in celebrating Noah’s incredible accomplishments and his passion for making a difference!

2024-2025 Scholarship Contests

Optimist International sponsors three scholarship contests for students to earn money to pursue opportunities in higher education: the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH), the Essay Contest and the Oratorical Contest. The contests are conducted at the Club level, then Zone and Regional (if necessary) and at the District level. District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations and awarded by Optimist International.

Oratorical Contest

Topic: “How Optimism Has Guided Me Through Trying Times”

Essay Contest

Topic: “How Optimism Has Paved My Road to Success”

Robert and Susanne Di Giulio Memorial Senior Scholarship

The SLV Optimist are pleased to announce the 2022 recipient of our memorial scholarship, Diala Princeton Ajaero. Diala will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall.

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