Good Life Award

Get Inspired!

• Check out these great books and movies that will inspire you to live a good life!
• Read the winning entries from past years.
• See a list of represented schools.
• Print this Good Life Award contest flyer for your classroom!
• Watch Teen Advisory Board member Rachel Kessie interview Nancy Cartwright, voice of Bart Simpson, in this Good Life Award video below.

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Eligibility

• Entrants must be enrolled in a curriculum for grades 7 - 9 at the time the application is submitted.
• Entrants must live or attend school in Montgomery County, Ohio.
• Prior Good Life Award $3000 prize winners are not eligible for this contest.
• Family members of Washington-Centerville Public Library staff and contest judges are not eligible for this contest.

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Rules (as an entrant you must...)

• Complete the writing challenge in 300-500 words (entries of more than 500 words will be disqualified).
• Complete the online entry form by April 1.
• Submit only one entry per person.
• Certify the work was written by you and expresses your original ideas which you have developed. By submitting your entry to the Good Life Award, you guarantee the work as your own.
• Agree to allow your name, personal photo, and entry excerpts to be published in the Dayton Daily News if you win.
• Agree to attend the Good Life Celebration award ceremony at Washington-Centerville Public Library on May 27, 2010 if you win.

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How to Enter

• Submit entry online using the official online entry form (link visible when contest opens) between March 1 and April 1.
• Copy and paste your final entry into the textbox. (Please be sure that your name and school are NOT included in the main body of your entry.)

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2010 Writing Challenge

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." ˜Lewis G. Carroll, mathematician and author

"Be well. Do well. Have a lot of fun." ˜Nancy Cartwright, voice of Bart Simpson

Step 1: Develop a Plan

Review the criteria by which you will be judged.

Step 2: Write to the Prompt

Invitation:
It takes a lot of thought, imagination, and practice to lay a good foundation for your life. When you are busy and active, there is less chance to be bored. Staying busy and active contributes to happiness and helps you set and achieve your goals, and being happy builds self-esteem and confidence. Think about how you spend your time and with whom. It could be friends, family, or the things that interest you and occupy your time.

Prompt:
Describe how you are laying a foundation for your life. Think about what you want to achieve and what steps you are taking to get what you want. Reflect on how outside influences such as family, friends, faith, or activities contribute to your self-esteem and confidence. Give specific examples on how these outside influences help to make you a stronger, better person. Describe how you think these influences will contribute to your happiness and lead you down the right path in life.

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Judging

• Decisions of the judges are final.
• Adherence to all rules and challenge guidelines are basic requirements of this contest.
• The following criteria will be used to determine the winning essay:
  

  Criteria		Points
  Clearly Addresses Prompt	Includes a description of laying a foundation for life as well as the steps needed to achieve what they want; reflects on outside influences as they relate to self-esteem, confidence, and happiness; cites specific example(s) of how, what and why these outside influences (friends, family, faith and pastimes) contribute to happiness and self-improvement, and how these influences will help in laying a foundation for a good life.	30
  Creativity & Style	Rich details and examples that reveal personality and a strong writer's voice.	30
  Clarity of Content	Organized and easy to understand with good ideas for others to consider.	30
  Accuracy	Writing mechanics and format do not detract from meaning.	10

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Awards

• The winner will be awarded a Good Life Award Certificate and $3,000.
• Other prizes will also be awarded.
• Winning essays will be published in the Dayton Daily News.
• Winner agrees to attend the Good Life Celebration at the Washington-Centerville Public Library on May 27, 2010.

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Good Life Celebration

• The 2010 Dottie Yeck Good Life Celebration will be held at Centerville Library, Thursday, May 27, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
• Winners will be recognized and author Fran Kick will help us KICK IT IN with an exciting and dynamic teen leadership presentation!
• Join family, friends, and teachers in celebrating, encouraging, and helping students who are working hard, getting better at what they do, and having fun in the process.
• Everyone is welcome! Registration is not required to attend.

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