Scholarship programs for Alaska's next generation.
In partnership with the Optimist Club of Anchorage, Alaska, we support programs that help young people develop their voices, share their ideas, and pursue scholarship opportunities.
Write. Speak. Share your perspective.
These Optimist scholarship programs give young people meaningful ways to express themselves, build confidence, and work toward their educational goals.
Optimist International Essay Contest
A chance for young writers to explore their ideas through an original essay and share their perspective on the world around them.
- Develop writing and critical thinking skills
- Express personal ideas with creativity and purpose
- Compete for recognition and scholarship opportunities
Optimist International Oratorical Contest
An opportunity for students to build confidence through public speaking, organize their ideas, and deliver an original message to an audience.
- Practice public speaking and presentation skills
- Build poise and confidence in front of an audience
- Pursue scholarships through further competition
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
A platform for students who are deaf or hard of hearing to share their ideas through sign language, spoken language, or a combination of both.
- Celebrate different ways of communicating
- Gain experience presenting ideas to an audience
- Compete for recognition and scholarship opportunities
Each program link takes you to the Optimist Club of Anchorage for eligibility, contest guidelines, scholarship details, and application information.
How scholarship funding works
Higher-level scholarship awards are funded through the Optimist International Foundation. Local Optimist Clubs do not receive Foundation funding for local awards. The Last Frontier Youth Foundation strives to help offer local awards for these programs in partnership with the Optimist Club of Anchorage as charitable funding becomes available.
Help make local awards possible.
Donations help us offer local scholarship awards as funding becomes available, support youth contests, and responsibly grow programs for students, teachers, and families across Alaska.
Help fund the next opportunity.
Every gift helps the Last Frontier Youth Foundation strengthen local scholarships and youth programs. Together, we can give more young Alaskans the resources, recognition, and encouragement to pursue their goals.
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