Deerfield-Windsor presents Laws of Life contest winners

ALBANY — The Georgia Rotary Laws of Life Essay Contest, as stated on its website, is a “character education and ethical literacy program for high school students in our state.” It is meant to encourage students to express their values through real life experiences and recognize students who demonstrate a positive character.

Presented to the Dougherty Rotary Club on Tuesday were the winners from the contest represented at Deerfield-Windsor School.

Drawing participation from 59 schools across the state, the contest encourages students to use an inspirational quote and relate it to a real situation in their life.

“The Laws of Life program allows them to write from the heart and get (noticed) from someone other than their teachers,” said Deerfield Headmaster Dave Davies.

There was one winner from each grade. They were freshman Lilia Sullivan, sophomore Jasmin Lopez, junior Stephanie Mathes and senior Will Sewell. Lopez was the overall school winner this year, and Sewell won from his grade last year — and was also winner of the George A. Stewart Jr. Character In Action Award for his submission last year.

They were each introduced by Irmgard Schopen-Davis, chair of the humanities department at Deerfield, before they all came up to read their essays.

“This gives them the opportunity to write from the heart. In writing, we don’t value those (personal) experiences enough,” she said. “We ask them to write objectively. The contest (allows them to demonstrate) what it means to be in this place, in this time.”

In her essay, Sullivan spoke of an overseas mission trip and the reception she received from her host family. Being in a different culture was awkward at first, but she managed to learn something from her host family while she was there.

“There are (many) ways to communicate, and language is just one of them … This experience taught me that loving and caring for someone does not have boundaries,” she said.

Lopez wrote about her experience at home helping her mother, who suffers from lupus. Every day is a constant struggle for her mother, who attempts to maintain a full-time job even though she might be unable to get out of bed the next day.

“I stay by her side when she is not feeling her best … forcing me to be my mother’s hands and feet,” she wrote.

Mathes wrote about how a zipline trip helped her to overcome her fear. After being secured in place, she ultimately had to be pushed off.

“I was shocked into action, and did not stop climbing until I was at the very top,” she said.

Sewell, no stranger to essay contests, wrote about how he helps his grandmother — who lives across the street — and how that reflects his belief in the significance of helping others, even with small tasks.

In Sewell’s case, the other person is someone who has invested a lot in him.

“Life is about more than (test scores) or getting into a good college,” he wrote. “Time in this life is extremely valuable, and that time should be spent investing in others.”

The winners were each presented medals before the civic club. For Laws of Life, the grade awards are usually $50, and an additional $50 for the school wide winner. At next week’s meeting, the winners from Westover Comprehensive High School and Dougherty Comprehensive High School will be presented.

For more information on the contest, visit www.georgialawsoflife.org.