When you face the world with optimism, nothing can keep you down.
Especially for three Clarkston students who were recognized by Clarkston Optimist Club for their winning essays submitted on ‘Optimism Should be a Priority,” in their Optimist International Essay Contest.
Scholarship awards and medallions were presented to the students with award winning essays.
For Nate Gipe,17, optimism was his greatest ally while battling leukemia after being diagnosed last year.
‘It can cure ills,? he believes. ‘I was living my day to day life when suddenly I as thrown into a battle for my life. Luckily there were many people and things that helped me in my fight -doctors medicines, nurses, priests, family and friends all came to the rescue.
‘Optimism should be a priority because it helps you set a positive example for others, to improve your own situation and keep you positive.”
During his illness, Gipe kept a blog and regularly updated family and friends on his condition.
He focused on positive messages even on bad days.
Even through radiation treatments when he felt anxious and was forced to remain motionless, rather than letting anxiousness overcome him, he told himself the radiation was making his body better.
‘Optimism can have real world effects and help improve your circumstances,? he said. ‘It can also help you keep your chin up, and keep your attitude positive. It has none of the negative side effects of other cancer treatments. With so many benefits, optimism should be a priority in everyone’s life.”
Gipe’s young brother Gabe, said his brother inspires him by his positive attitude.
A worldwide organization, the Optimists follow a creed of ten statements to help keep spirits up when life gets tough.
One part of that creed, is to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
Emily Kelly, lived in a poor inner city with a mediocre school system, but watching her parents struggle while continuing to work hard molded her character.
Her father, Mark, had no college degree, but was blessed with a great talent for photography.
Mark worked hard and started a photography company. The family moved from the poor inner city to Clarkston.
When Mark started his company, the economy was good, but a few years later America’s economy went south.
‘People lost their homes and jobs overnight,? she said.
Her mom had a good job, but her workplace closed and she lost her job.
Times got tough for dad’s business, too. To help pay the bills her grandmother moved in, so her parents could make payments on their new home.
‘Many families have generations living together to save money,? Emily noticed.
Her parents still struggle. Her mom found a new job, and her dad keeps working to develop his in home photography studio.
Throughout the struggle, the family could be overtaken by depression, but instead optimism grew.
Mark said to develop Emily’s positive attitude he exposed her to diverse activities in her life.
Emily focuses on’wonderful activities? in her life including spending time with her dogs, the 4-H Club, making music with her clarinet, color guard activities with marching band and art and photography consume her time.
Training her pups to perform tricks and compete in the 4-H shows has won her numerous ribbons and trophy awards. Those pups show their unconditional love and always know when she is feeling down.
‘I have learned so much from them in leadership to responsibility and relationships,? she said.
Developing music talents has led to beautiful places as well including an invite to play in Carnegie Hall in New York.
Watching and learning her father take his breathtaking photos has taught and inspired the high school senior.
‘I have won several 4-H county fair ribbons for my photos and artwork,? she said.
She often wonders how life would be different if she had only known poverty. Would it have been easier to be poor her entire life than to have financial circumstances change so suddenly? Yet it was those sudden changes that taught her great lessons.
‘I have learned changes can happen quickly and I must be able adjust,? she said. ‘Adjusting is figuring out how to best ‘survive? without spending time thinking woe is me. Optimism is the highest priority.?
Greatest are leaders are those who rise from adversity.
Emily is a leader at the 4-H club where she mentors younger children by encouraging them to try new things and compete. She also leads in colorguard in the marching band.
Mentoring is an activity she finds fulfilling.
‘I have learned encouraging and supporting others helps build your own sense of responsibility and self-confidence,? she said.
Immersing herself in activities she loves, she also works hard at school to get into a good college.
‘I have learned you need to work hard and keep trying, despite setbacks,? she advises. ‘I have learned to have as positive attitude as I can. I look forward to my life with a great deal of optimism.?
Jenny Lussenhop has been in the Optimist Club for years, repeating the Optimist Creed hundreds of times. Recently the meaning of the creed really hit her soul ho to apply those skills to everyday life. Optimism inward spreads outward into the world and comes to your soul tenfold.
‘The content of the creed puts emphasis on the personal goals of the individual, but it also extends to the treatment of others,” she said. ‘The idea of optimism a great shift in mind set, from thinking only of oneself to thinking about how others relate to others.”
Optimism touches every aspect of ones life, she added. It changes attitudes and lifestyles.
Optimism encompasses many ideas and values into one word, said Lussenhop. Seeing your glass a half-full and carrying a sunny disposition is an attitude you must adopt inside. It provides internal rewards and leads to increased positivity in other areas of life.
Her mom. Carolyn, said she is continously amazed by her three children, including Jenny. ‘I always tried to be there for them,” she said. ‘I always encouraged them to do their best.”
Even with an optimistic disposition, life is still tough. Frustration, stress and negative emotions will always still exist.
‘Combating tough situations with confidence and composure helps immensely,? she said. One statement in the Optimist Creed,’To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best,” is among her favorites statements in the optimist creed.
A person who adopts this into their character is a person who is incredibly determined and a person who seeks excellence.
A person dedicated to excellence never settles for ‘good enough?. They are never arrogant or jealous. They do not compare themselves with others rather they do their very best.
‘With optimism being a priority, individuals have the potential to be compassionate, humble, determined, focused and kind,? Jenny believes.
Optimism also improves relationships with others.
‘Make all your friends feel there is something in them,? Jenny cited as another favorite part of the Optimist Creed. ‘It reaches past politeness and courteously and and reaches towards a genuine respect for other people.?