The 2014 Laws of Life Essay Contest was facilitated at the middle school level through the Westerville Gifted Education Department. Hundreds of essays were written between Westerville’s four middle schools and the following students were judged as middle school and district winners.
Blendon winners were Grace Livingston, Deston Ferguson, Taylor Breehl, and Maya Hale. Winners from Genoa were Madison Seabury, Kacy Lytle, Arianna Kellum, Kendel Seabury, Justin Wade and Matt Boller. Heritage winners were Cheyney Carr, Abby Messina, Carolynn Bructo and Evan Seitz. Gabrielle McCrea submitted the top paper from Walnut Springs.
These essays were then submitted for judging to determine the Westerville City School District Laws of Life winners. Winning district essays have been submitted to the 2014 Ohio Statewide Laws of Life Essay Contest. Winners at the district level were Madison Seabury, Grace Livingston, Abby Messina, Deston Ferguson, Taylor Breehl, and Arianna Kellum. The District Theme (RESPONSIBILITY) essay winner from Blendon Middle School was Lana Pauquette and the cover design district winner, also from Blendon, was Emily Kellar.
There were four additional Honorable Mention recognitions at the district level – Kacy Lytle, Matt Boller, Kendel Seabury and Cheyney Carr. These essays will not move on to the state competition.
State finalists will be notified in March and, along with their parents, will be invited to attend the Laws of Life Awards Banquet in April in Columbus, during which time state awards will be announced.
The Laws of Life Essay Contest, created in 1987 by Sir John Templeton, inspires young people of all backgrounds and abilities to focus on their values and principles by challenging students to discover through reflection and writing the principles, people, and experiences that have helped to shape their life. The contest offers students the opportunity to take a stand for what they believe in.