Superior Rotary Club 40

One way to tell if a blog is of any value to the community is to publicize something of value.  Towards that end I have pasted an interesting opportunity below:

“An area high school student will be awarded the $1,000 top price in the Annual Rotary District

5580 Essay Contest. In addition to the top award, there will be six $100 regional winners

selected.

Rotary District 5580 offers this Essay Contest as an incentive to young people to develop their

skills of self-expression and as evidence of a sincere interest in the ideals of our youth. All

students in their final two years of high school are eligible to participate.

The essay can deal with any topic of the student’s choosing, but it must apply the principles of

The Rotary 4-Way Test:

 Is it the TRUTH?

 Is it FAIR to all concerned?

 Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

 Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

The Rotary 4-Way Test was first conceived in 1932 at the height of the Great Depression by a

Chicago businessman, faced with the challenge of saving a major company from bankruptcy.

Looking for a way to save the company, he sought a short yardstick of ethics that could be used.

Company personnel were asked to learn the test and to observe it as a guide to every aspect of

business. As a result, a climate of trust and goodwill gradually developed among dealers,

customers and employees, and the 4-Way Test was credited with returning the company to a

thriving status.

The 4-Way Test has inspired safe driving programs, crime and drug reduction activities, and has

been the subject of countless secondary school essays. The message has appeared on roadside

billboards, bronze plaques and has been translated into more than 100 languages”

Here is some additional information:      

 STUDENT GUIDELINES
The Four-Way Test Essay Contest
Sponsored by Rotary International District 5580
WHAT IS THE FOUR-WAY TEST?
The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do is as follows:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
The Four-Way Test is not a code or a creed, but a stimulus to self-appraisal. It is not a pledge, but rather a springboard to voluntary self-improvement.
It is not a sermon, although any number of sermons has been preached on it. It aims to encourage the ethical instincts in every
person and constitutes a simple and practical guide for people of all cultures.
The Four-Way Test has inspired safe driving programs, fire prevention campaigns, crime and drug reduction activities; it has been the
subject of countless secondary school essays. It has been translated into more than 100 languages.
WHY DOES ROTARY DISTRICT 5580 CONDUCT THE FOUR-WAY TEST ESSAY CONTEST?
Our Rotarians believe that the thousands of dollars committed are an investment in our youth. It is a statement of our interest in the
ideas of our young people. It demonstrates our belief that it is important to reward our youth for expressing their views. And, it is our
way to encourage youth to apply the Four-Way Test to the world around them.
PRIZES
There are three levels of competition and prizes:
1. Local — Rotary clubs will provide prizes for the local winners.
2. Regional — The winning local entry will be entered in regional competition. A $100 prize will be awarded to the winners of each of the
regional contests (six regions).
3. District — The regional winning entries will be submitted to the district level to compete for the Grand Prize of an additional $800
($1000 total for the District winner).
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all students in the final two years of high school.
TOPIC
The essay may treat any subject of interest to the student. It may be specific or general. For example, one might choose a topic relating
to world peace, to a special friendship, to the environmental issues in general or to some issue in particular, to a choice of life-style, to a choice of
occupation. Creative use of one’s imagination is encouraged. However, the essay must include the principles of the Four-Way Test and the way
these relate to the topic presented.
Here are some of the topics from previous contests: “George Bernard Shaw”, “Truth + Fairness+ Good Will + Benefits = Dance”,
“Competitive Swimming”, “College Tuition”, “Life is Full of Choices”, “3 Letters, 4 Questions (How FFA Meets the Rotary 4-Way Test)”
“Should You Multi-task?” “Censorship” was last year’s winning essay from a student attending Bemidji, MN High School.
LENGTH
500 to 1,000 words
PRESENTATION METHOD
A typewritten copy, double-spaced, is to be submitted, along with the signed statement below.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Judging will be based on utilization and application of the principles of the Four-Way Test. Essays received that do not incorporate these four (4)
principles will not be considered. Student creativity, organization, language and grammar usage will also be considered as part of the overall
judging criteria.

DEADLINES:          Superior Rotary has now set its official deadline as Monday, February 28, 2011.  We’ll then have enough time to send all entries to our District 5580 office before their mid-March deadline.

Good luck with your entry.