At Paul Duke STEM High School in Gwinnett County, participation in the Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsored Laws of Life Essay Contest soared from 12 students last year to 718 students for the 2019-2020 contest.

The Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest announced state winners for the 2019-2020 contest. Cindy Huynh, an 11th grader at Brookwood High School in Snellville, won the competition with her essay about standing up to bullies. Sha'niya Rogers, a 9th grader at Westover High School in Albany, won the George A. Stewart Jr. Character in Action award with her essay about working through homelessness to achieve in school and for her family. Each of these outstanding student writers will receive a $1,000 prize.

Savannah Johnson, in 11th grade at Lafayette High School, was awarded 1st runner-up. Faith Fitzgerald, a 9th grader at Thomasville High School, won 2nd runner-up. The 3rd runner-up winner was Reagan Beach, a senior at North Cobb High School. Wade Chappell, a 10th grader at North Springs Charter High School, was awarded 4th runner-up. Hyuk Lee, a senior at Lambert High School, won 5th runner-up.

Along with state winners, awards go to 170 school level winners and 53 lead teachers from 72 high schools throughout Georgia. In total, the contest awarded $21,100 to participating students and teachers. Additional students receive honorable mention recognition. More than 43,000 high school students across Georgia shared their values in a personal, Law of Life narrative for this year’s essay contest. Georgia Laws of Life will share student winners reading their outstanding essays via social media in the coming weeks.

At Paul Duke STEM High School in Gwinnett County, participation in the Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsored Laws of Life Essay Contest soared from 12 students last year to 718 students for the 2019-2020 contest. The Rotary Club of Peachtree Corners partners with the high school for the contest and other programs throughout the school year. Paul Duke principal Dr. Jonathon Wetherington said, “We feel like the Laws of Life Essay is a wonderful instructional opportunity for our students that aligns well with our school's purpose.”

Rotary clubs across Georgia conduct the Laws of Life Essay Contest through the nonprofit Georgia Rotary Districts Character Education Program, Inc. (GRDCEP). Rotary club members volunteer to read and judge essays, serve on the contest’s Board of Directors, and volunteer their professional expertise to help build character and ethical literacy among students. “The essay contest is an opportunity for Rotarians to illustrate Rotary’s Service Above Self motto with their community,” said Carol Gray, Midtown Atlanta Rotary Club member and Executive Director for GRDCEP.

“The Board of Directors is comprised solely of dedicated Rotarians from all three Georgia Rotary Districts,” said Ed Outlaw, Board Chair and member of Peachtree City Rotary Club. “With a recent 3-year, $230,000 grant from The Templeton Foundation, GRDCEP is growing and seeking volunteers to serve on the board and board committee,” continued Outlaw. For more on serving as a Board of Director or Committee Member, please contact Carol Gray, Executive Director, caroljgray@georgialawsoflife.org, 404-590-8039.