CHILDREN'S CHALLENGE

Each year, the Optimist Club of Champaign-Urbana is proud to recognize elementary students in our community through the Children’s Challenge Award Program. For over a decade, this program has brought joy and encouragement to children, celebrating their unique talents, achievements, and character.

This is a wonderful opportunity to honor students for their outstanding qualities in a variety of categories, outlined on the second page of this packet.
Key details:

Eligibility: Kindergarten through 5th-grade students in area elementary schools.
Recognition: Every nominated student will receive an award certificate.
Awards: One winner in each category will receive a $50 cash gift.
How to Nominate: Complete the below nomination form.
Deadline: All nominations must be submitted by April 18, 2025.
Award Ceremony: Winners will be honored on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Lewis Auditorium at The Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St., Urbana, IL. Children selected for each award will be notified along with the nominator. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please make it a family and friends affair. Light refreshments will be served.

categories:

ARTS: An award for a child with exceptional imagination and skill in painting, music, dance, drama or
writing.
SCIENCE: An award for a child whose curiosity has led to outstanding achievement in the exploration and discovery of his/her environment.
HUMANITIES: An award for a child who inspires cooperation and group effort among peers or people of other ages.
FELLOWSHIP: An award for a child who inspires cooperation and group effort among peers or people of other ages.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: An award for a child who stands out in their willingness and ability to help others.
COURAGE: An award for a child who has faced a great challenge with extraordinary bravery, endurance and/or effort.

If you prefer a paper form, please download and follow instructions for completion: 2025_childrens_challenge_packet.pdf

Nomination form

* Indicates required field

Nominator's Name *

First

Last

Nominator's Email Address *

Nominator's School or Organization *

Phone Number *

Nomination Category *

Nominee's Name *

First

Last

Nominee's School *

Nominee's Grade *

Nominee's Age *

Parent/Guardian Name(s) *

First

Last

Parent/Guardian Address (if known) *

Line 1

Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Parent/Guardian Email *

Parent/Guardian Phone Number *

Please write about why the student deserves the award selected. If you prefer to upload a letter, please use the upload link below. Please limit to 2 pages or less. *

Upload File *

Max file size: 20MB

Submit

If you have any questions, contact Barbara Gillespie at (217) 384-7413 or (217) 898-7566, or email her at [email protected].

We appreciate your support in recognizing and celebrating the incredible children in our community. Thank you for your continued partnership!

2025 CHILDREN'S CHALLENGE

categories:

Nomination form