Three Cape Girardeau Central High School students were winners in the Noon Optimist Club's annual essay contest.

Awards and medals were presented at the Dec. 16 meeting of the club.

First place winner was Chad Reimann. Second place was Christopher Robertson, and third place was Sally Taylor.

The winners are all juniors at Central High School. They wrote essays on "The Challenge of a Free Society."

Reimann advances to the Optimist's zone competition. The winner of the zone contest will compete at the district level, and the district winner will go to the international competition.

First place winner at the international competition will receive $5,000 in scholarships. The second place winner earns $3,000, and third place wins $2,000.

Mark Hill was chairman of the essay competition for the club.