The 2021 Good Life Award Writing Contest is now closed. Read the winning entries!
Honoring the life of Dottie Yeck, a champion of children, who believed that one is never too young to have an impact on the world.
Contest Dates: September 7, 2021 - October 5, 2021
Entrants must live or attend school in Montgomery County, Ohio, and be enrolled in a curriculum for grades 7-9.
You could win the top prize of $3,000! Three additional prizes of $750, $300, and $150. Honorable Mentions will receive a certificate and be individually recognized.
For more information call the Community Outreach Coordinator at 937-610-4429 or send an email to: communityrelations@wcpl.lib.oh.us.
Rebecca is a graduate of Alter High School (Valedictorian) and the U.S. Air Force Academy (Top Academic Graduate and Top Overall Graduate, 2015) where she studied Astronautical Engineering. She's a native of Washington Township and most recently completed her Ph.D. in Astrophysics at the University of Oxford in England as a Rhodes Scholar. For fun, Rebecca rowed for the Blue Boat at Oxford (2017) and was CoSIDA Women's Div I Track & Field Academic All-American of the Year, 2015. Currently in flight training school, her dream is to become an astronaut.
"Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I’ll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I’ll give you a stock clerk." ˜ J. C. Penney, Businessman & Entrepreneur (1875-1971)
"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." ˜ John F. Kennedy, 35th U.S. President (1917-1963)
"A bend in the road is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn." ˜Helen Keller, Author, Political Activist & Lecturer (1880-1968)
Step 1: Develop a Plan
Review the criteria by which you will be judged.
Step 2: Write to the Prompt
Invitation:
As a teen, you have challenges to meet, dreams to pursue, and choices to make. There is a lot to manage as you handle friendships and school, solve tough problems, become involved in your community, all while developing your talents and interests. Of course, you also want to laugh and have fun along the way.
Sure, you still have to follow rules, but more and more each day, you are finding your own way, learning from your successes and mistakes, and charting your own course. YOU are in the driver’s seat as you create your future!
Prompt:
Design a plan for surviving and thriving through your teen years with your goals intact. In 300-500 words, describe your plan, creatively showing readers your ideas for success and for overcoming roadblocks you may encounter along the way. Detail the actions and attitudes which will support your progress as you navigate these exciting, unpredictable years.
Criteria | Description | Points |
---|---|---|
Clearly Addresses Prompt | The essay outlines a clear and descriptive plan for "surviving" the teen years with goals intact. Writer gives examples of roadblocks and how to overcome them. Writer applies Mrs. Yeck’s philosophy of Being Good + Doing Good = Having Fun + Being Happy. | 3 |
Creativity & Style | Rich details and examples that reveal personality and a strong writer’s voice. Consider citing personal emotions, values, and beliefs. Consider the use of inspirational quotes, poems, songs, or passages, etc., to reflect beliefs. | 3 |
Clarity of Content | Organized and easy to understand with good ideas for others to consider. Uses all elements of Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. | 3 |
Accuracy | Writing mechanics and format do not detract from meaning. Content is correct in punctuation and spelling. | 1 |