Nepali Student Wins First Place

​Jalan Niroula and his mother, Bishnu, pause for a photo before the Optimist Club luncheon at the New Era Restaurant in Akron.

​Jalan Niroula reads his essay on the required topic of “Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges.” He described three obstacles that he has faced in his life.  One was how his world view changed from when he was living in a refugee camp in Nepal to when he started living in the United States of America.  A second obstacle was coping with his father’s mental disability which required him and his brothers to live in foster care.  The third was learning a new language quickly.  In dealing with these obstacles, he found optimism in his education and learning.

Jalan receives his first-place certificate from Richard L. Buchanan.

With more than 95,000 members in 3,200 clubs, Optimist International is one of the largest and most active community service organizations in North America.  In addition to holding essay and oratorical contests for high school students, club members volunteer their free time to help complete environmental projects, tutor children, sponsor sports teams, help the elderly, and participate in substance abuse prevention programs. 

Jalan’s essay will be forwarded for competition at the Optimist Club District level later in the spring of 2017.