IMS 7th grader "Wants to Make a Difference"

The Issaquah Optimists aspire to "Bring out the best in kids," and so does the Issaquah School District. Through its annual essay contest, the Optimists help promote those less tangible traits-integrity, hope, humanitarianism—that can't be learned in textbooks but frame a person's entire life.

Seventh-grader Stephanie Schott from Issaquah Middle School took first-place—with a $250 prize—for her essay "I Want to Make a Difference because I Can!" Second place went to Issaquah High senior Kendra Muller. They were honored at a ceremony in March.

Optimist International's mission is to foster an optimistic way of life, through a network of optimists, dedicated to the full development of their potential in order to provide ever-expanding service to youth, the community, and world. Issaquah's chapter is entering its fourth year.

The Optimist essay contest enhances the District's effort to educate complete students. The Issaquah School Board has created encompassing goals that include citizenship to assure graduates are prepared to face the occupational and personal challenges of a dynamic global environment.

Stephanie's winning essay:    I Want to Make a Difference because I Can!

I want to make a difference because … I can! It's that simple. "Whether you believe you can or you can't, you're right!" said Henry Ford, and I believe it. I believe you have to have a positive outlook on life, working really hard to give your personal best each and every day. I try to do that, and most days, I succeed.

I want to make a difference in my school, my community, and the world overall. It takes three things to make that possible: 1) a desire to want to make a difference, 2) a positive, can-do attitude, and 3) drive and determination to take action and make my ideas come true.

I have the desire to make a difference. I believe you have to look at a situation, see a need for change, and figure out how to better it. I saw an elderly lady standing in the rain with her groceries while waiting for a taxi, and I asked Mom to please give her a ride. It was a small difference in her life that day, and now I have a new friend! It's not hard to help others, it just takes a desire to do so.

Second, I believe it's important to have hope and see things for what's possible rather than how things are. There are lots of negative people out there! Even at a young age, so many of my friends already make comments tearing themselves and others down, saying "I can't do that!" or "You're not good enough." For example, I enjoy ski racing. A lot of times, girls who I ski race with will tear down others to make themselves feel or look good. It makes others feel bad, and puts a negative outlook on what should be a really fun sport. I heard a saying, "Whatever you believe, you can achieve," and I know I must believe in myself, as well as help others believe in themselves, because I have the potential to make things better.

Lastly, to make a difference, you have to take action. You can have all the desire I the world to make a difference in someone's life or your own, but if you don't take action and do something about your good idea, it doesn't matter. I make jewelry and sell it, then take part of the proceeds and send it to a charity in Mexico for children who hope to attend a real school someday rather than the hovel of chicken wire and lumber scraps that now houses their classes.

So you can see, I want to make a difference because I can! Wanting to make a difference is the first step-getting into action turns good intentions into reality. I have the ability and the drive to apply that saying, "actions speak louder than words." And with the right attitude, I know I can take action and make really good things happen. If you try, I bet you will make good things happen too!