Rotary District Governor Alfred Current has announced the opening of the annual essay contest for eighth graders, based on Rotary’s Four-Way Test, with a first-place award for the district winner of $500. Rotary clubs in the district, which stretches from Palmetto to Marco Island and east to Clewiston, will sponsor local contests in their respective communities, with local awards, as well.

The annual contest is open to all eight graders (or equivalent middle schoolers) whether public, private, or homeschooled.

The Four-Way Test, created by Rotary founder Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 as a guide for his employees to help them make good decisions, has been adopted as a guide for all Rotarians, who pledge to consider the test in whatever they think, say or do.

It asks:

• First — Is it the truth?

• Second — Is it fair to all concerned?

• Third — Will it build good will and better friendships?

• Fourth — Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Taylor believed the best competitive advantage to guide his failing aluminum cookware company facing bankruptcy was to implement a strong code of ethics. He developed this simple, but effective test, challenging everyone in his company to memorize and use it to guide their conduct in every aspect of their business and personal lives. Taylor’s company not only survived but thrived.

Contest competitors write an essay describing how The Four-Way Test can be applied to life challenges or decisions faced by them or others in their age group.

Last year’s winner, Piper Sheldon from Oasis Middle School in Cape Coral, sponsored by The Rotary Club of Cape Coral Goldcoast, titled her essay “To Post or Not to Post”, a timely essay about the pressures students face in today’s online world.

Local Rotary Clubs contact local schools, or are contacted by schools wishing to launch the contest in their schools, to initiate a school contest. The club selects and awards local winners and submit their winning essays to The District Essay Contest Committee to be entered into the District competition. The District will recognize and award a prize for first, second, and third-place winners at its District Conference at The Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center next year on Saturday, July 13.

Rotary International District 6960 includes 53 Rotary Clubs with a membership of 2350 active Rotarians ‘doing good in the world.’ For more information about Rotary District 6960, visit Rotarydistrict6960.org or rotary.org.