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Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Shown above are six students, and their teachers, from Canterbury Woods Elementary School, who participated in the 2023 Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, with Optimists Ed Wonder and Bob Gambarelli.
Link to Vienna Patch article about the 2024 Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Scholarship competitions include the Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Essay Contest, Oratorical Contest, The Career and Technical Education Scholarship, and The Sheryl Friedley Scholarship to assist students with documented Intellectual Disabilities.
Students participating in these contests learn to present their work to a real audience (the Optimists) and have a wonderful item to add to their resumes just by participating. These contests have changed student's educational and career paths in a positive manner for many years.
Career and Technical Education Scholarship
Every spring the Optimists offer the Career and Technical education scholarship for graduating HS seniors residing within the Fairfax County Public School pyramids for Marshall, Madison, and Oakton High Schools.
Please download the current announcement and eligibility criteria and scholarship announcement.
Sheryl Friedley Scholarship for Students with Documented Intellectual Disabilities
"The Sheryl Friedley Scholarship assists students with documented Intellectual Disabilities (ID) who are receiving certificates of completion to continue their education in post-secondary educational training programs. Students must reside in the areas served by the Madison, Marshall, Oakton high school pyramids.
Completed applications, including recommendation letters and required supporting documentation , may be submitted to the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna during the time frame stated on the application form.
Carol Waite Brennan College Scholarship
Shown above are six students, from James Madison, George C. Marshall, and Oakton High Schools, who were awarded 2023 Carol Waite Brennan college scholarships, each in the amount of $2,500, with Optimist Mike Fitzella.
The Club has given the Carol Waite Brennan Youth Appreciation Award to high school seniors who, nominated by their school counselors, excel in academics, arts, athletics and community service while demonstrating ongoing kindness, good citizenship, optimism and character. The Club renamed this award in 2002 in honor of the late Optimist Carol Waite Brennan [1961-2001], an Oakton attorney who served as president of the Vienna Optimist Club 2000-2001 and, with her husband Matt, started Ethics Day at George C. Marshall High School. Link to Vienna Connection article about Brennan 2021 awardees.
TR Cook College Scholarship
The Optimists present the T.R. Cook awards every year to rising high school seniors for six areas of excellence: academics, citizenship, fine arts, science, sports and technology. T.R. Cook, a long time Optimist member and Vienna supporter, passed away in 2022.
Brian Trompeter wrote an outstanding tribute to TR in the December 13, 2022 edition of the SunGazette .
Jim Houston Award to Madison Baseball Leaders
The Optimists also present the Jim Houston award each year to a Madison High School senior who is a member of its baseball team and is a leader and a player of high character. Jim was a long time Optimist member and Vienna community supporter.
Helping Hands Awards to 6th Graders
The Optimists present annual "Helping Hands" awards to local elementary schools in the name of sixth grade students who have been nominated by their teachers for going above and beyond to help their friends, school, or community in a special way.
Community Awards to First Responders and Educators
The Optimists also present well-deserved annual awards to local community Fire and Rescue members (the First Responders Award), Police (the Respect for Law Enforcement Award), and Educators (the Partners in Education Award) for their extraordinary efforts to make our community a better place.
For further information on OCGV scholarships and awards.