There’s always at least one amazing and memorable highpoint from
St. George Rotary Club’s annual 4-way test essay contest readings. Beyond the award of money to each 1st
and 2nd place young winner in three of our four intermediate schools
– and $200 each to their classroom teacher – this blog post read by one of the
teachers was definitely this year’s highpoint.
“The
Rotary Club of St. George sponsors an essay contest for 6th grade students each
spring and my students have participated the past 3 years. The first year I had
around 30% participation, last year I had around 70%, and this year we have
reached my goal of 100%! I appreciate this contest so much because it a) gives
my students an opportunity to write a narrative, which we seem to get away from
as kids get older; b) gives me precious insight into the lives and thoughts of
my students; c) motivates the student to be grateful and mindful of a person
who has made a difference in their lives.
Rotarians around the world use the FOUR-WAY TEST to make ethical decisions in
business and other aspects of their lives. So, our writing prompt stems from this
four-way test.
*Write
about someone who has influenced your life in relationship to one, or more, of
the following values:
• Truth
• Fairness
• Goodwill and friendship
• Beneficial to others
Last
year I attended a ceremony where the essay contest winners were honored, and
they were able to read their essays at a Rotary luncheon. I was deeply moved.
As a matter of fact, I was so embarrassed and overcome with emotion I started
weeping when they asked me to say a few words. I was not crying for the
winners, however, they are bright and wonderful students. I was crying for the
students who struggled just coming up with the name of the subject for their
narrative. A few kids honestly could not think of one trusted adult to write
300-400 words about explaining how they exemplified the 4-way test. I would
give suggestions, heads would shake, shoulders would slump, heads would hang
low.
I
have reflected on this experience many times and realized there is great power
in the old Indian proverbs that says,“Do not judge a man until you have walked
two moons in his moccasins” or shoes, or paws, or flip flops, or work boots,
etc. You get my drift. People have hard things.
Kids
are so resilient. Sometimes I wonder how they survive to adulthood when having
to deal with so much hardship. I see divorce, abusive parents, parents in
prison, neglect, kids living with family members, homelessness, ADD, bullying,
poor hygiene, poor nutrition, poor sleep habits, adoption, foster care,
hopelessness, cutting, depression, DCFS involvement, and the list goes on and
on. I sometimes cry for them when I hear of their situations. It just isn’t
fair, and it is so tragic.
But,
I think, more than anything, hardship helps us appreciate the good when it does
come. I appreciate the honor it is to teach the future leaders of this country.
Many of the young people are struggling through their lives and making the best
of it and I am proud of them. In the end, this year everyone thought of someone
to write about for the essay. Just for statistical data, here are the results
according to who the kids wrote about:
Mom = 30 Teacher/coach = 7
Dad = 20 Cousin = 4
Grandparent = 17 Aunt or uncle = 7
Sibling = 12 Friend
= 26
So,
thank you to each and everyone of you who work hard and, in turn, a kid loves
and trusts you. The stories are poignant and sweet. Moms, dads, friends, if you
do not feel valued, look at this list. More than half of the essays were just
from these three groups. Grandparents, you make a difference, you are role
models for your grandchildren. Bless you for caring, teaching, and loving
children. They need it, they crave it, and most of all, they deserve it.
Bless the Rotary Club of St. George and bless those of you who live the four-way test, even if you didn't know you were.”
Bless the Rotary Club of St. George and bless those of you who live the four-way test, even if you didn't know you were.”
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