4-Way Test Essay Contest Winners

From left:  Timothy Isom, Kristine Sewell, Kamille Finklea, Addilyn Walker, Emily Gomez, Ellie Coder, (back) Kristie Wheeler, Elle Melo, Jonathan Naylor, Sydney McCaul and WCSD Superintendent Larry Bergeson.

“It’s a good way to trick students into loving to write,” said Kristie Wheeler, 6^th grade language arts teacher at Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School, speaking about St. George Rotary Club’s 10^th annual 4-Way Test Essay Contest.  “And, its good for these kids to know someone thinks what they have to say is important.”

At the recent weekly meeting of the local service club, Wheeler and two other language arts teachers, parents and members of St. George Rotary Club heard the seven 1^st and 2^nd place winning essays in this year’s competition from among more than 300 entries this year. 

To participate, students in four intermediate schools in the Washington County School District were invited by Chairman Durant McArthur and his committee, to put their thoughts in writing about someone they know who best exemplifies Rotary’s 24-word test of ethics in all aspects of life:  is it the truth?  Is it fair to all concerned?  Will it build goodwill and better friendship?  Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Awarded a $50 first prize at Fossil Ridge Intermediate School is Addilyn Walker, daughter of Rachel and Jacob Walker, who wrote about her own father.  A second place prize of $25 went to Emily Gomez, daughter of Adriana and Rodrigo Gomez, who shared respect and admiration for her dance teacher.

At Lava Ridge Intermediate School, first place honors went to Jonathan Naylor, son of Merry Kay and Cordell Naylor, who wrote about his best friend. Sydney McCaul, daughter of Joe and Andria McCaul, was the second place recipient for her essay about her mom, who she said “is a perfect example of Rotary’s 4-way test.”

Ellie Coder, daughter of Shana and Zach Coder, a student at Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School, was recognized for her well-written thoughts about her mother who lives both the letter and the spirit of the 4-way test.  Also at Sunrise Ridge, Elle Melo, daughter of Katie and Iuri Melo, showered praise on her language arts teacher, whom she reports “works us hard because she loves us and wants us to succeed.”

Timothy Isom, the lone participant from Tonaquint Intermediate School, took home the 1^st place award for his insightful essay about his father’s influence in teaching him the principle of honesty.

Language arts teachers in the WCSD, with at least a 30% participation in the contest, were also awarded $200 to use in whatever way the teacher deems appropriate.  Recipients included Kristie Wheeler from Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School with 100% participation among her students; Kristine Sewell from Fossil Ridge Intermediate School, who had 119 of her 139 students participate and called the exercise “an opportunity to have a little glimpse into their personal lives”; and Kamille Finklea from Lava Ridge Intermediate School, who noted, "sadly, for some of these children, finding a positive role model in their lives was the hardest part of this assignment."