ST. Louis, MO –, a student  at St.  Joseph’s Institute for the Deaf in Chesterfield MO, recently won the East Missouri  Optimist District’s Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The theme of this year’s contest was “How My Optimism Helps Me Overcome Obstacles”

Owens will receive a $2,500 scholarship for the honor.

“Through an oration Michael King did a wonderful job of presenting his thoughts about the questions posed to him,” District CCDHH Chair Karl Tyminski said. “We have no doubt that Michael King has a bright future ahead of him. His enthusiasm and positive attitude is contagious, he is truly an exceptional young man.”

The East Missouri District has been participating in the Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for over 30 years. The contest is open to students who have a hearing loss of 40 decibels or more, and students can sign or speak their presentation, or communicate through a combination of the two.

Optimist International is one of the world’s largest service club organizations with 100,000 adult and youth members in 3,400 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico and throughout the world.  Carrying the motto “Bringing Out the Best in Kids,” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about Optimist International, please call (314) 371-6000 or visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org.