The Eastside Optimist Club of Evansville Scholarship was established in 2007 by the Eastside Optimist Club of Evansville. As industrialization and urbanization brought many new problems to society, citizens began forming voluntary organizations to address the needs of their communities. In some areas, groups took the name “optimist club” to express their desire for a positive outlook in the face of all these problems. The first official Optimist Club was formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1911. The Eastside Optimist Club was formed on February 21, 1956.
The Eastside Optimist Club established the scholarship because their organization’s motto is "Bringing Out The Best in Kids" and the purposes are to develop Optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people; to aid and encourage the development of youth in the belief that the giving of one's self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world.
Fundraising events allow the Eastside Optimist Club of Evansville to raise money to fund annual student scholarships.
This scholarship is awarded to full-time student(s) who are graduating seniors or someone under the age of 22 residing in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, or Gibson counties, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Renewable for two consecutive years as long as student has passing grades and continues to be full time.