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Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest
Dear Educator:
The Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest is a state-wide essay contest for high school students, grades 9 – 12. Students are asked to select a “Law of Life” or maxim (such as “Honesty is the best policy,” or “To give is better than to receive”), and to explain how the character value contained in the quote applies to the student’s life. The contest challenges students to reflect upon core values such as generosity, courage and compassion, and it rewards those students who have taken a stand for their beliefs.
The contest is approved by the Georgia Department of Education, the Georgia Humanities Council, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. It fits easily into a school’s existing curriculum, and it gives students an opportunity to reflect on important life issues while working on critical writing skills.
Last year, more than 50 high schools across the state participated in the contest, and more than 44,000 essays were submitted.
The contest recognizes 5 state-wide winners. The 1 st-place state winner receives a
$1,000 cash prize ; the 2 nd^ place winner receives $750; etc., down to $200 for the 4thth place winner.
On a school level, each school that meets the minimum participation requirements has
four student winners: a $100 school winner and up to three $50 grade level winners.
Your school’s Essay Contest Chairman will receive a $100 honorarium if your school
generates essays from at least 25 percent of the school’s enrollment (or a minimum of 250 essays, if the school enrollment is less than 1,000 students).
To participate in the 2010-2011 contest, your school must complete and return the attached sign-up form. The contest can accept only a certain number of schools per year, so please sign up as soon as possible. Schools will be accepted on a “first-come, first-served” basis, with sign- up starting May 1, 2010. Schools that are participating in the contest for the first time in 2010- 2011 will need a Rotary Club or corporate sponsor.
Schools that register to participate will receive all necessary contest materials in mid-August.
I hope your school will join us in this year’s contest. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Susan G. Mason Director, Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest georgialawsoflife@gmail.com 404.367.
Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest
PROGRAM NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS
The Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest challenges students to examine and reflect upon core values such as generosity, courage, compassion and perseverance, and honors those students who are willing to take a public stand for their values.
The contest is for students of all abilities and levels, grades 9 – 12.
For the 2009-2010 year, 50 high schools across the state participated in the contest
and more than 44,000 student essays were submitted.
More than $17,000 in cash awards were presented to students and teachers in the
2009-2010 year alone.
o A school that meets the minimum participation requirements has four student
winners: a $100 school winner and up to three $50 grade level winners.
o The contest recognizes 5 state-wide winners. The state winner receives a $1,
cash prize.
o A school’s Essay Contest Chairman will receive a $125 honorarium if the school
generates essays from at least 25 percent of the school’s enrollment (or a minimum of 250 essays, if the school enrollment is less than 1,000 students).
The contest is approved by the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia
Humanities Council, and is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. It fits easily into a school’s existing curriculum, and it gives students an opportunity to reflect on important life issues while working on critical writing skills.
The contest is made possible by generous funding from Rotary Clubs of Georgia, the John Templeton Foundation, and other corporate and individual sponsors.
There is no cost to a school to participate.
“The Laws of Life Contest makes young people think about their life’s values and articulate them in a way that is meaningful to them. It is not just another contest on creativity and essay-writing capabilities. Writing a Laws of Life essay challenges me and makes me realize things about myself that I might never know otherwise. Thank you, Laws of Life!” –Maylene Kie, student, Parkview High School
Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest
2010 – 2011 School Registration Form
Please scan and e-mail to georgialawsoflife@gmail.com; or mailed to 840 Woodley Drive, Atlanta, GA 30318. Questions? Call Susan Mason, Contest Chair, at 404.367.9453.
The contest can accept a limited number of schools per year, so please sign up as soon as possible. Schools will be accepted on a “first-come, first-served” basis.
School name: ________________________________________________________________________
School Address:
School phone number: _______________________________
Total Enrollment (grades 9-12): ________________________
School Principal: ____________________________________
Principal’s e-mail address: _____________________________
School Essay Contest Chairman (this typically is the English Department Chair or someone appointed by the Dept. Chair):
Name: ______ Phone:
Email: ___ Fax:
Back-up contact for the contest (another teacher or administrator): ______________________________
Back-up’s e-mail address: ____________________________________________
Does your school have a sponsoring Rotary Club? ____ No ____ I’m not sure ___ Yes
If yes, please provide the name & contact information for your sponsoring Rotary Club:
Club Name:
Rotarian contact name: ___________________
Phone: Email: __________________
