Optimists celebrate poster contest winners

By Phil Cobb | February 1, 2024 |

SUBMITTED BY THE OPTIMIST CLUB
Natalie Jensen is pictured with grandparents Steve and Paula Holtman.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Maryville Optimist Club celebrated with Natalie Jensen and Easton Wonderly, winners of the Optimist Poster Contest.

On Jan. 18, the group met to applaud and recognize the winners who created art pieces using the theme “Just Say No to Drugs.” All fourth graders in Nodaway County were allowed to compete in the substance abuse prevention poster competition, according to a news release.

Lynn Beason and Mary Walkup, co-hosts, distributed 207 pieces of poster board to all of the schools in Nodaway County.

“We picked up 199 finished posters, and we were so glad to have 96 percent of the students participate,” Beason said in a statement.

Optimist Club members judged the best posters in boys and girls categories for each of the seven schools, and then the members voted on the overall girl and the overall boy winners to submit to the next level of the contest.

Easton Wonderly, son of Sean and Amanda Wonderly, from Eugene Field Elementary School in Maryville, won the boys contest. His teacher is Joe Suchan.

Natalie Jensen, daughter of Paul and Melissa Jensen, from Jefferson C-123, won the girls contest. Her teacher is Terri Jermain.

The club concentrates on youth in Nodaway County, noted the release. Annual club projects include the Optimist Essay Contest, the Optimist OratoricalContest, Youth Appreciation, fishing contest, Respect for Law, scholarships, Pedalers Project, Inspiration Rocks, roadside cleanup and Habitat for Humanity.

The Optimists support the Octagon Club at Maryville High School, sponsored by Heather Stoecklein.

“We are really proud of the Octagon group,” President Trudy Kinman, said in a statement. “With over 50 members, we have one of the largest groups in the state.

“Our funding for projects is a concession stand at the (Northwest Missouri State University) football games, managed by Rick Smail. We really do try to use our funds to help the youth in Nodaway County.”