4-Way Essay Test Winners Present

Winners of the 2012 4-Way Test Essay Contest are shown after receiving their certificates and cash prizes with their teachers and with the St. George Rotary Club president, Linda Baker, and essay contest chair, Durant McArthur. From L to R Linda Baker, Becky Allred, Isabelle Sampson, McCall Holbrook, Natalie Huebner, Marvelee Lund, Rosemarie Swallow, Logan Hall, Durant McArthur, Jadely Cartagena, and Gavin Paxman.

The Rotary Club of St. George congratulates the winners of the 2012 4-Way Test Essay Contest. These students wrote the top two essays amongst all 6th grade students in their school about someone who has influenced the student’s life in relationship to one, or more, of the values of truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship, and benefiting others.


From Fossil Ridge Intermediate School Natalie Huebner placed first and Logan Hall placed second. From Lava Ridge Intermediate School Jadely Cartagena placed first and Gavin Paxman placed second. From Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School Isabelle Sampson placed first and McCall Holbrook placed second. These winners along with their parents and teachers were present while they shared their essay with members of the St. George Rotary Club on May 7 and received their certificates and cash prizes.

“It is our goal with this contest to instill the ethical ideals of the 4-way test in the lives of these students,”  states Linda Baker, who is the current club president. “By helping them recognize these values in the lives of those around them, they learn to appreciate and incorporate these values in their own actions.”

The 4-Way Test Essay Contest is open to sixth grade students in all St. George area intermediate schools with the top two essays from each school chosen to be honored with a cash prize and recognition at a weekly lunch meeting of the club.

The students find many amazing ideas and examples. Ms. Huebner wrote her essay of the things her mom taught her including the principle of fairness. “Fairness means that no one feels left out. Finally, fairness means that no one is criticized or put down.”

Of her father, Ms. Cartagena wrote, “He’s always told me to never accept failure, and to help others through their trials and errors as well as my own.” She went on to describe the ways her father has taught through action the principle of being beneficial to others.

Mr. Paxman shared an experience about dealing with a bully where his dad advised him against violence and “suggested that we become friends” which he did. He reported “I was happy.”

Durant McArthur, club chair of the essay contest, noted the difficulty in selecting the winners because “each submission shared great examples of living the high ethical standards taught by Rotary’s 4-Way Test.” He further noted, “in reading these, I am confident that our future is in good hands.”

The Rotary Club of St. George is a chartered club under Rotary International, the the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self. The Rotary Club of St. George was chartered in 1931. For more information visit www.stgeorgerotary.org.