Kang Sahn Noh, a senior at Airline High School, has been named the winner of the Optimist Club of Bossier City’s scholarship contest. Noh delivered a compelling speech that earned him a $300 and a medal. The competition also recognized:

Second Place: Om Ganapathy, a ninth-grader at Benton Middle School, received a $200 prize and a medal. Third Place: Nicholas Duck, an eleventh-grader at Benton High School, was awarded a $100 prize and a medal.

This annual event celebrates the talents and voices of local youth, recognizing student writers for their outstanding essays and achievements. Contestants are middle and high school students from Bossier Parish Schools. The 2025–2026 Essay Contest topic is: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me.”

Chartered in 1968, the Optimist Club of Bossier City remains a pillar of the community. In addition to the oratorical contest, the club supports youth through essay scholarships, teacher/Anita Blaufaus academic grants, the Rising Stars program, and partnerships with organizations like Bossier Kids, Plant-A-Seed, Eagle Scouts, Summer Blast, Northwest Louisiana Food Bank, and the Sickle Cell Disease Association.

To learn more about Optimist International, call (314) 371-6000 or visit www.optimist.org