By Staff
Robbie Byrd, News Editor
The Atmore Rotary Club announced Tuesday that it will be sponsoring an essay contest for ECMS students that will help promote character and moral values.
Laws of Life is a nationwide essay contest that, according to the worldwide program's officials, "provides young people with the opportunity to reflect and write about their own values."
The program will offer over $1,000 in prize money to students and teachers involved in the program.
Becky Hill with the Community Charity Program said that this program helps students explore both their academic ability as well as their moral aptitude.
"Academics are very important, but moral academics are just as important," Hill said.
Entrants from ECMS will write essays on just about anything that describes their moral values and character, whether it be a person, life changing event or personal story.
"The kids are surprisingly very honest when they write these," Hill said.
The essays will be judged mainly on content but grammar and style play a part. Teachers sponsoring the program will be available to help in these areas.
The contest is divided into two divisions: a fifth and sixth grade division and a seventh and eighth grade division.
The program will kick off on Feb. 11. ECMS teachers and students will receive information about the program, including sample essays, a booklet filled with helpful hints and suggestions as well as a teachers guide and background information on the contest.
The deadline will be March 11 for submissions.
Winners in each division will receive $200 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place. Eighth honorable mentions will be named with a prize of $25.
The teacher of the winners will receive $100 and the teacher with the most class participation will receive $100 as well.