Every year, thousands of high school students participate in the Georgia Rotary Clubs’ Laws of Life Essay Contest. This contest showcases the developing writing skills of students while allowing them to share their experiences.
The purpose of Laws of Life is to encourage students in sharing their values and the roles these may play in their lives. Of those thousands, more than 44,400 Georgia high school students at 68 participating schools wrote essays for this year’s competition. Thomas County Central High School has one school-wide winner, four grade level winners and several honorable mentions.
Tenth grade English teacher Kensey D’Souza, who advises students in the contest, is thrilled with the quality of the essays submitted this year.
“The essays that were entered into the contest were beautifully written, straight from the heart, and demonstrated excellent writing skills,” she said.
Winners include Megan Schminky, 11th grade and school winner, Emily Hobbs for ninth grade, Victoria Hess for 10th grade and Kaitlyn Hudson for 12th grade. Grade winners receive a $50 cash award, and school winners receive $100.
Honorable Mentions went to freshmen Rayne Gipson and Sebastian Bass, sophomores Emily Potter and Katelyn Watson, juniors Kathryn “Bryce” Herring and Railey Richardson, and seniors Jaylen Brown and Justin Dougherty.
D’Souza describes a standout essay as one that is well crafted.
“I want to be able to picture the story in my imagination,” she said. “This is usually done when students use techniques such as imagery, dialogue, figurative language and descriptive details. I like to be able to sense that writer's ‘voice,’ whether the tone be happy, sad, funny, serious or anything in between.”
Junior Megan Schminky’s essay was originally intended for another in-class assignment; however, she felt it fit the contest’s theme and entered it. Lessons in her younger life that made her commit to being her honest self were Schminky’s inspiration.
“My essay was about how I overcame challenges I faced after deciding to be true to myself,” she said. “I feel very proud of myself and happy that I am receiving recognition for my writing because the essay was very personal and important to me.”
Ninth grade winner Emily Hobbs appreciates how the Laws of Life essay process is different from traditional English class essays.
“... I got to tell my own story,” she said. “It was more personal, creating a better essay that I had interest in.”
Hers was about how sports taught her the importance of hard work.
“The sport I love inspired me to write my story,” she said. “Sports can teach you many lessons like perseverance, work ethic and determination. My story about a time playing softball is a law of life for me, to work hard and never give up.”
And though her win was unexpected, she still is very grateful.
“I am happy that I placed for my essay,” Hobbs said. “I did not expect to win, but when I was told I won, I was very surprised and happy,”
Sophomore Victoria Hess anticipates writing a Laws of Life essay every year.
“I like to have the opportunity to write about whatever I want,” she said.
Even so, writing about her relationship with her mother wasn’t easy for her. She admits to having trouble finding the right words to express her thoughts and was shocked at her win.
“This time in my life was probably the most traumatic thing I've had to deal with ….,” she said. “I wanted to write about the one good thing that came out of it, which was a stronger relationship with my mom and a new start.”
Senior Kaitlyn Hudson believes the contest gives students a platform to share their experiences, beliefs and spread awareness to causes they support. Her essay inspiration was an encounter with a homeless man.
“I was inspired to write about an enlightening experience with a local homeless man,” she said. “I was able to see everyone has a story worth sharing, and I wanted to share his. I'm very excited about placing because it gives me a chance to spread my own experiences with a larger audience.”
D’Souza believes students should participate in the Laws of Life competition because it helps them express their morality.
“The contest is wonderful because it allows students to tell a personal narrative that encompasses their core values,” she said. “This not only allows students to examine their morals but also allows them to be extremely creative in telling their story.”