Students from Blendon, Genoa and Walnut Springs middle schools were recognized for their essays about perseverance, humility and compassion as part of the 2020 Laws of Life essay contest organized by the Better Business Bureau’s Center for Character Ethics. They include:
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Owen Wiggins, Blendon: 1st place, 6th grade ($100 prize)
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Anna Bogan, Genoa: 5th place, 7th grade
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Madison Davis, Blendon: 2nd place, 8th grade ($75 prize)
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Emma Westlake, Blendon: 3rd place, 8th grade ($50 prize)
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Myla Manu-Arkhurst, Walnut Springs: 1st overall ($500 award)
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Alina Rakhimzyanove, Walnut Springs: 2nd overall ($250 award)
The Laws of Life essay contest challenges young people to discover through reflection and writing what matters most to them in their own lives and the principles they believe should guide their behaviors and choices. It starts as a classroom activity for middle schools across the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio’s 21-county service area.
Students choose what they consider is their law of life — any characteristic they feel leads their life such as honesty, integrity, and unity, she said. For the 2021 contest, 30 students across Westerville’s middle schools moved onto the regional 2021 Laws of Life essay contest. Of that group, a dozen advanced to the semi-final round.