Dottie Yeck Good Life Award Writing Contest
Being Good + Doing Good = Having Fun + Being Happy ˜ Dottie Yeck's Life Philosophy
The 2018 Good Life Award Writing Contest is now closed. Read the winning entries!
About This Contest
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 10, 2018 - October 9, 2018
Entrants must live or attend school in Montgomery County, Ohio and be enrolled in a curriculum for grades 7-9
First Place Winner: $3,000, Second Place Winner: $500, Third Place Winner: $250, Fourth Place Winner $100.
If you have a question, please feel free to contact us about the Good Life Award Writing Contest.
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 Good Life Award honoree Mark D’Aloia interview A.J. Hawk, former NFL linebacker in the Good Life Award Presents A.J. Hawk.
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.
Rules (as an entrant you must...)
- Complete the writing challenge in 300-500 words (entries of more than 500 words will be disqualified).
- Contest opens at 8 A.M. on September 10.
- Contest closes at 8 A.M. October 9.
- 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 attend the Good Life Celebration award ceremony at Washington-Centerville Public Library on Thursday, November 29, 2018 if you win.
How to Enter
- Submit entry online using the official online entry form (link visible when contest opens) between September 10 and October 9.
- 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.)
2018 Writing Challenge
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." ˜E.B. White (1899 - 1985) (Author of Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and Elements of Style, among others)
"Time's fun when you're eating flies." ˜Kermit the Frog
Step 1: Develop a Plan
Review the criteria by which you will be judged.
Step 2: Write to the Prompt
Invitation:
Each year we focus on one of the four elements of Mrs. Dorothy Yeck's equation for how to lead a life that is fun, purposeful, and happy: "Being Good + Doing Good = Being Happy." This year's emphasis is on "Being Happy" and how attitude can affect you and those around you. Write a 300 to 500 word essay. Copy and paste your final entry into the text box on the entry page. Your name and school name cannot be in the main body of your entry.
Prompt:
Describe a time when you chose to "be happy" even when others were not happy around you. How did your choice make a difference for you? Did it influence others? What lessons did you learn in that situation about the power of choosing your attitude? How will your attitude be influenced in the future.
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 score the essays:
| Criteria | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Clearly Addresses Prompt | Includes a description of a situation and/or time when the writer chose to "be happy" even though others were not. The writer cites specific examples of why they chose to be happy and whether or not it influenced the people or situation around them. Writer fully illustrates the lessons learned in the power of attitude and whether or not a positive attitude is helpful in certain situations or around certain people. How will the writer's attitude be influenced in the future? | 3 |
| Creativity & Style | Rich details and examples that reveal personality and a strong writer’s voice. | 3 |
| Clarity of Content | Organized and easy to understand with good ideas for others to consider. | 3 |
| Accuracy | Writing mechanics and format do not detract from meaning. Content is correct in punctuation and spelling. | 1 |
Awards
- First Place Winner: $3,000.
- Second Place Winner: $500.
- Third Place Winner: $250.
- Fourth Place Winner: $100.
- A check for $250 will be awarded to the class of the Good Life Award winner.
- Winner agrees to attend the Good Life Celebration at the Washington-Centerville Public Library on Thursday, November 29, 2018.
Good Life Celebration
- The 2018 Dottie Yeck Good Life Celebration will be held in the Community Room at Centerville Library, Thursday, November 29, from 7 - 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.