Dottie Yeck Good Life Award Writing Contest
Being Good + Doing Good = Having Fun + Being Happy ˜ Dottie Yeck's Life Philosophy
The 2016 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 12, 2016 - October 11, 2016
Entrants must live or attend school in Montgomery County, Ohio and be enrolled in a curriculum for grades 7-9
Winner will be awarded a certificate and a $3,000 prize.
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 linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals and former Centerville High School football player 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 12.
- Contest closes at 8 A.M. October 11.
- 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 December 1, 2016 if you win.
How to Enter
- Submit entry online using the official online entry form (link visible when contest opens) between September 12 and October 11.
- 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.)
2016 Writing Challenge
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." ˜Dr. Seuss (aka author Theodore Geisel, 1904-1991)
"Be well. Do well. Have a lot of fun." ˜Nancy Cartwright, voice of Bart Simpson (1957- )
"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you." ˜Lao Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher, father of Taoism, (6th century BC)
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.
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 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. | 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
- The GLA winner will be awarded a Good Life Award Certificate and $3,000.
- A check for $250 will be awarded to the homeroom class of the Good Life Award winner.
- Awards of Distinction will receive a certificate and $100.
- 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 Thursday, December 1, 2016.
Good Life Celebration
- The 2016 Dottie Yeck Good Life Celebration will be held in the Community Room at Centerville Library, Thursday, December 1, 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.