georgia laws of life essay winners 2020

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BHS student wins state in Laws of Life essay contest

Published 8:46 am Wednesday, April 14, 2021

By Jill Holloway

Bainbridge High School senior Corbin Austin recently was named the state winner for the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest.

Austin’s win makes him the first ever BHS student to win state in the essay competition in the 14 years BHS has participated.

“We are so incredibly proud of Corbin,” said English teacher Dr. Heidi Chambers. “Placing first in a field of over 25,000 essays is an incredible accomplishment.”

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The Essay Contest was established by Sir John Templeton in 1987 and encourages young people to embrace quotes or “Laws of Life.” In their essays, students use one of these laws to reflect on values that mean the most to them. Values such as generosity, courage, perseverance, honesty and integrity. Teachers then choose the best work from among their students and send it to the state competition.

Austin’s law of life was “True happiness comes from making others happy,” a quote by David O. McKay. He then titled his essay, “The Dog, the Old Lady, and the Boy,” where he detailed his relationship with an elderly woman and her dog.

Austin explained when he was in the tenth grade he was approached by his literature teacher, who was Dr. Chambers at the time about walking her grandmother’s dog, as they lived in the same neighborhood.

Austin explained Chambers’ grandmother was 97 at the time and just had surgery on her leg, making her unable to walk the dog. Austin said he happily agreed and began walking her dog.

Austin continued to walk the dog for 2.5 years.

“The last time I walked her dog was on her 99th birthday on September 28, 2020,” Austin said.

As Austin walked the dog, he noticed Chambers grandmother’s dementia was starting to worsen.

“You could tell her memory was fading and her dog didn’t want to leave her,” Austin said. “The dog knew something was wrong.”

Austin approached Dr. Chambers and explained to her that her grandmother had begun paying him double.

“I was keeping Dr. Chambers updated throughout the whole thing and telling her how Hercules (the dog) barely would leave the front porch because he was so worried to leave her,” Austin said. “I felt wrong her paying me and me not being able to do my job.”

Chambers thanked Austin for telling her and explained to him that although he felt that way, her grandmother felt that Austin really gave her a purpose and he was the highlight of her day.

Upon hearing this, Austin continued to walk Hercules.

“Her happiness and the whole experience with the whole family is what really brought me joy,” Austin said. “Seeing her smile really brightened my day.”

Austin recounted that she would always compliment him, especially on the whiteness of his shoes and tell him stories of her training squirrels and feeding them food.

Eventually, Hercules and Chambers’ grandmother went to live in an assisted living facility.

However, Austin still thinks of them often.

Austin said when he turned in the essay, he never thought much about his story.

“I never thought my life experience was big enough that people would think wow that’s exceptional or anything like that,” he said.

Austin was even more surprised when he later found out he made it to the top seven essays in the state and dumbfounded when he won state.

“I never in a million years thought this would happen,” he said.

Because of his win, Austin won $1,000 and picked his teacher, Dr. Chambers to win $100.

Austin will put his money to good use when he attends Kennesaw State University next year to major in architecture.

The Bainbridge Rotary Club partnered with BHS to host this essay competition and Bainbridge Rotary’s Laws of Life Contest Chair applauded Austin.

“On behalf of the Bainbridge Rotary Club, I would like to congratulate Corbin Austin on being the Statewide winner of the Georgia Laws of Life Program,” said Tommie Howell. “We would like to thank Bainbridge High School and the BHS English Department on their continued participation in the program. Laws of Life allows our students the opportunity to use their writing skills in telling their own personal story. Perhaps, most importantly, it makes students realize their stories are important.”

Austin couldn’t agree with Howell’s sentiment more.

“Don’t ever downplay your story,” he said. “What might seem minute compared to others really turns out to be a big experience for you; it can even be as simple as walking your neighbor’s dog.”

Austin said he now can’t imagine his life without Gigi or Hercules, as it was a huge plot point in his life.

Austin will be reading his full essay at Rotary Club at the end of the month.

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BASA Laws of Life Essay Contest Winners Announced

• Posted March 27, 2023

The Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest asks students to select their own Law of Life, and to write about how it applies to their lives. In doing so, students reflect deeply and write from the heart about what they think matters most. The contest celebrates the students’ stories and their often profound reflections, and proudly presents significant cash awards to students and teachers.

At BASA, each grade level participated in the contest.  ELA teachers then whittled down the essays and submitted 12 for review.  Finally, the Georgia Rotary Club selected winners. 

The following students were named as our Honorable Mentions in the Georgia Laws of Life Contest!

• Yaretzi Solano 
• Ellie Lalaian
• Hannah Soliman
• Alissandra Murray
• Kaden Pitzer
• Kailyn Lor   
• Olivia Little

The following students were named as the grade-level winners. 

• Shane Bremer
• Simon Carnathan

Last but not least our grade level and school winner is Chloe Hebert!

Congratulations to all!

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Laws of Life Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest Announces School Winners

The Georgia Rotary Clubs Laws of Life Essay Contest today announced State and  local school winners for the 2020-2021 contest. At the State level:

• Corbin Austin of Bainbridge High School is the State winner
• 1st Runner-Up is Eriyel Fisher of Loejoy High School
• 2nd Runner-Up is Ian Kligora of Rome High School
• 3rd Runner-Up is Adrian Whitlock of Heritage High School
• 4th Runner-Up is Lily Griner of Colquitt County High School
• 5th Runner-Up is Christopher O'Neal of Thomasville High School
• Winner of the George A. Stewart Jr. Character in Action Award (sponsored by RC Dunwoody ) is Jamea Harris of the ME Stillwell School of the Arts.

In addition to the State Awards, local awards go to 135 school winners and grade winners from 48 high schools throughout Georgia. Additional students receive honorable mention recognition. More than 25,000 high school students across Georgia shared their personal values in their Law of Life essay for this year’s contest. 

Rotary clubs across Georgia conduct the Laws of Life Essay Contest in partnership with local high schools through the nonprofit Georgia Rotary Districts Character Education Program, Inc (GRDCEP). Rotarians volunteer to read and judge essays, serve on the contest’s Board of Directors, and volunteer their professional expertise to help build positive character traits and strong (?) ethical literacy among students. The essay contest aligns with Rotary’s emphasis on education, high ethical standards and service above self.

Educators with partnering high schools value the experience for their students. “I really think the Law of Life Essay ends up being the most meaningful piece of writing that most of my students produce -- probably out of all writings done while in high school. It's exciting to see students put so much care into their writing!” expressed Diana Powers of Brunswick High School. (or another teacher comment? In 6900 or 6910?)

For the 2020-21 contest, a total of 25,112 students wrote essays, and 54 participating Rotary clubs in Georgia will award over $17,000 in cash prizes. Throughout the spring, winning students will share their essays with enthusiastic audiences at local and district-wide Rotary Club meetings and at regional Rotary conferences.

Since 1999, the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest has impacted over 750,000 students. Inspired by the power of simple, pithy quotes, or Laws of Life, Sir John Templeton established the writing competition in the 1980s to encourage young people to embrace the wisdom of these sayings and live their best lives. In their essays, students use a law to reflect on values that mean the most to them – values such as generosity, courage, perseverance, honesty, integrity, and compassion.

This Year’s Posts:

• Jun 4: Remembering Past District Governor Bill Mulkey 1
• Jun 4: Midtown Atlanta Rotary Takes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion to Heart
• Jun 4: Commemorating 100 Years of Service Above Self in Thomasville 1
• Jun 3: Networking Ahead for Career Success
• Jun 3: Americus Honors 2019-20 Sheffield Award Winners
• Jun 3: Enjoying the Fellowship of Rotary
• May 19: Give Us 15 Minutes; We'll Give You an Awesome Rotary Service Opportunity
• May 10: Moultrie Hosts First Annual "Salute to Service"
• May 10: Rotary Opens Opportunities - Still Time to Register for 2021 Virtual Convention
• May 10: Get Onboard the Peace Train ... Sign Up for May 11-13 YPA Informational Sessions
• May 10: Celebrating April ... and Looking Forward to August
• May 10: Calling All Former Host Families, Trustees
• May 10: Join Roswell Remembers Memorial Day on YouTube
• May 10: May 15 Deadline for District Grant Applications Fast Approaching
• May 4: Learn More About Rotary ... Online or in Person
• May 4: Attention: District 6900 Global Grants Meeting 1
• Apr 5: Americus Honors Georgia Southern Technical College GOAL Winner
• Apr 5: Newnan Needs Assistance after Catastrophic Tornado 1
• Apr 5: Douglas County Gathers Spring Break Supplies
• Apr 5: Americus Sends Message About Ending Human Trafficking
• Apr 3: North Fulton Invites You to Virtual National Day of Prayer ... May 6, 2021
• Mar 10: What is Your Why?
• Mar 3: Roswell Packs Blessings in a Backpack
• Mar 3: RYLA 2021 is Off
• Mar 3: Continuing to Adapt – District Training Assembly is Virtual and Free!
• Feb 5: Our Own PDG Margie Kersey Named to New RLI Board
• Feb 1: 2020-2021 District Grants Upcoming Deadline
• Jan 31: Making a Difference in Our Communities
• Jan 13: Katheryne Fields Named GRSP Marketing and Development Director
• Jan 11: District Conference Registration Open 2
• Jan 11: Join Atlanta Rotary Online for "2021: Economic Outlook" - January 11 from 12-1pm
• Jan 10: Here's to All the Opportunities!
• Jan 10: It's Time to Start Planning!
• Jan 10: Thomasville Celebrates District 6900's Newest Future District Governor Selection
• Jan 10: Sandy Springs Supports Distance Learning
• Jan 6: Atlanta Southern Crescent Spreads Holiday Cheer
• Dec 9: Join The Fight Against Human Trafficking 1
• Dec 6: Greetings from
• Dec 6: Check Out Your RLI Learning Opportunities for December
• Dec 4: Join Us for District Conference ... April 29 - May 2, 2021
• Nov 10: You are Invited to the Rotary Club of Atlanta ...
• Nov 10: Giving Thanks ... for Our Families, Our Foundation and the Difference We Make
• Nov 8: Introducing a New Monthly Feature ... "Through Rotary's International Window"
• Nov 8: Dr. Palamalai Mahizhnan, Rotary Club of Lake Spivey/Clayton County
• Nov 8: RLI Sunshine Training Sessions Are Now Live Online!
• Nov 8: RI Membership Minute - Engage Alumni to Strengthen Rotary
• Nov 1: Rotary Partners in Farmers-to-Families Food Box Program
• Oct 28: Jasmine Burton Named One of Georgia Tech's Top 40 under 40
• Oct 13: Volunteer Opportunities with DeKalb County Students
• Oct 8: Join the District on LinkedIn
• Oct 8: Practicing Positive Peace Together; Voting to Make a Difference
• Oct 8: New Global Grant Scholar Begins Journey
• Oct 8: World Polio Day - October 24
• Sep 7: Happy Labor Day!
• Sep 3: Striving to Do Better - Living the Four-Way Test
• Sep 3: District 6900 Scholarship Team Needs Your Help
• Sep 3: LAWS of Life Essay Contest Offers Valuable Tool to Schools
• Sep 3: Play Bingo with Stone Mountain and the Community Wins!
• Sep 3: Engaging Members
• Sep 3: Rotary Club of Emory-Clifton Invites You to Join the Third Annual Polio and Health Symposium
• Sep 3: A Community Partnership to Engage Employers with Job Seekers
• Sep 3: Celebrating the Work We Do
• Aug 10: Join the Check Up On Them Challenge 1
• Aug 5: Competitive District Grants Support Children and Seniors
• Aug 4: Join the Infinite Possibilities: Women in Rotary Membership Series
• Aug 4: Staying Connected 1
• Aug 3: Let's Get Social
• Aug 3: Join the Rotary Club of Atlanta in Honduras - March 6-13
• Jul 15: Congratulations to Sheffield Award Winners, Clubs of Year, Clubs of Decade
• Jul 13: Congratulations PDG Bob Hagan, RI Service Above Self Award Recipient
• Jul 7: District Targets $500,000 Contribution to Feed Hungry During Pandemic 1

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