LAWS OF LIFE ARCHIVES

Please select any of the years below to review the winning essays from that year:


2009

The following Ohio schools had finalists in the 2009 Ohio Statewide Laws of Life Essay Contest: 

  • Apollo Career Center, Lima
  • Beallsville Jr. High School, Beallsville
  • Canton South High School, Canton
  • Coventry Junior High School, Akron
  • Erwine Middle School, Akron
  • Heritage Middle School, Westerville
  • Green Middle and Green High Schools, Uniontown
  • Holy Trinity Catholic School, Somerset
  • John Marshall High School, Cleveland
  • Liberty Center Middle School, Liberty Center
  • Miller City-New Cleveland Middle School, Miller City
  • Sherwood Middle School, Columbus
  • Stanton Middle School and Theodore Roosevelt High School, Kent
  • Temple Christian High School, Lima
  • Valley High School, Lucasville
  • Wadsworth Middle School, Wadsworth
  • Waynesfield Goshen High School, Waynesfield
  • Westerville North High School, Westerville

2009 Finalists

Contest finalists received their  awards at the Awards Banquet on October 1, 2009 in Columbus. 

Attorney General Richard Cordray congratulated the 2009 Laws of Life Essay Contest Finalists

2008

LAWS OF LIFE: 2008 Archive

Winners of local Laws of Life essay contests during the 2007-2008 school year were entered in the statewide judging. The winners of the statewide contest were announced and prizes awarded at the Awards Banquet on September 25, 2008 in Columbus.

High School Division

 Best Overall $500 Prize
Theresa C., 11th Grade
ECOT High School, Cincinnati
Title: Changing the World, One Act at a Time
 

 Best Male $200 Prize
Luke B., 12th Grade
Spencerville High School, Spencerville
Title: Growing Up, Reaching Out
 

 Best Female $200 Prize
Alexis S., 10th Grade
Wapakoneta High School, Wapakoneta
Title: Bicycle Man
 

 Second Place $150 Prize
Katrina B., 12th Grade
Westerville North High School, Westerville
Title: The Circle of Life
 

 Second Place $150 Prize
Kaylah R., 12th Grade
Columbus Grove High School, Columbus Grove
Title: What Is Important To Me
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
Caitlin M., 11th Grade
Green High School, Green
Title: Balancing Ambition and Patience
  

 Third Place $100 Prize
Tiaunda Ramsey, 9th Grade
Valley High School, Lucasville
Title: How Common Is a Smile?
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
Diana R., 12th Grade
Lima Senior High School, Lima
Title: Stay Standing
  

 Superior $50 Prize
Katelyn A., 10th Grade
Elida High School, Elida
Title: The Value of Being an Organ Donor
 

 Superior $50 Prize
Devin F., 10th Grade
Westfall High School, Williamsport
Title: Change
 

Superior $50 Prize
Sierra M., 9th Grade
Springfield High School, Holland
Title: Oh the Places You’ll Go!
 

Superior $50 Prize
Hilary W., 9th Grade
Westerville North High School, Westerville
Title: Complaints
 

Middle School Division

Best Overall $200 Prize
Mackenzie H., 8th Grade
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Title: Connor
 

 Best Male $150 Prize
Matthew G., 7th Grade
Wadsworth Middle School, Wadsworth
Title: Laws of Life
 

 Best Female $150 Prize
Kendall D., 8th Grade
Green Middle School, Uniontown
Title: The Handprint on my Heart
 

 Second Prize $100 Prize
Desiree P., 8th Grade
Green Middle School, Uniontown
Title: Help
 

 Second Prize $100 Prize
Meredith U., 8th Grade
Wadsworth Middle School, Wadsworth
Title: Empathy
 

 Third Prize $75 Prize
Kimberly B., 8th Grade
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Title: My Happiness
 

 Third Prize $75 Prize
Aaron S., 7th Grade
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Somerset
Title: Laws of Life
 

 Third Prize $75 Prize
Julia M., 8th Grade
Genoa Middle School, Westerville
Title: Practices of Life
 

 Superior $25 Prize
Rocio C., 7th Grade
North Central Local Schools, Pioneer
Title: What I Have Learned
 

 Superior $25 Prize
Josh D., 7th Grade
Liberty Center Middle School, Liberty Center
Title: It’s Not Just a Game
 

Superior $25 Prize
Jeremiah G., 7th Grade
ECOT Middle School, Marietta
Title: Everybody’s Doing It
 

Superior $25 Prize
Carah W., 8th Grade
Beallsville Jr. High School, Beallsville
Title: My Metamorphosis
 

2007

LAWS OF LIFE: 2007 Archive

Winners of local Laws of Life essay contests during the 2006-2007 school year were entered in the statewide judging.


The winners of the statewide contest were announced and prizes awarded at the Awards Banquet on October 16, 2007 in Columbus. 

High School Division

 Best Overall $500 Prize
Julia D., 11th Grade
Green High School, Green
Title: The Conditions of Love
 

 Best Male $200 Prize
Dustin V., 11th Grade
Crestwood High School, Mantua
Title: Grudges
 

 Best Female $200 Prize
Courtney H., 12th Grade
The Columbus Academy, Gahanna 
Title: The Housekeeper
 

 Second Place $150 Prize
Jessie Z., 11th Grade
Springfield High School, Holland
Title: Appreciating Love
 

 Second Place $150 Prize
Katie J., 12th Grade
Perry High School, Lima
Title: Life's Not Fair
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
Melissa S., 12th Grade
Ottoville Local Schools, Ottoville
Title: What it takes to be successful
  

 Third Place $100 Prize
Samantha V., 9th Grade
ECOT, Columbus
Title: A Beautiful World
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
Cody Alan P., 12th Grade 
Delphos Jefferson High School, Delphos
Title: Acting Out in Life
  

 Superior $50 Prize
Sarah D., 11th Grade
John Marshall High School, Cleveland
Title: You Are What You Choose To Be
 

 Superior $50 Prize
Jennifer W., 12th Grade
Westerville North High School, Westerville
Title: Never Give Up

Middle School Division

Best Overall $200 Prize
Jonathan C., 7th Grade
Beallsville Jr. High School, Beallsville
Title: A Movie Script for Your Life
 

 Best Male $150 Prize
Will R., 8th Grade
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Title: Helping the Less Fortunate
 

 Best Female $150 Prize
Morgan M., 8th Grade
Green Middle School, Green
Title: You Must Be The Change 
 

 Second Prize $100 Prize
Logan K., 6th Grade
Bellaire Middle School, Bellaire
Title: An Athlete's Game - Winning Point
 

 Second Prize $100 Prize
Julianna C., 8th Grade 
Wadsworth Middle School, Wadsworth
Title: Behind Closed Doors
 

 Third Prize $75 Prize
Natasha B., 8th Grade
Eastern Brown Jr/Sr High School, Sardinia
Title: Laws of Life
 

 Third Prize $75 Prize
Matthew S., 8th Grade
Green Middle School, Green
Title: Trustworthiness, Perseverance, and Honesty

 Third Prize $75 Prize
Amanda M., 8th Grade
Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Middle School, Ripley
Title: Life is Like Shoe Shopping
 

 Superior $25 Prize
Jenica K., 8th Grade
ECOT, Columbus
Title: Working Habits 
 

 Superior $25 Prize
Annika J., 8th Grade
Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts, Akron
Title: Honesty

2006

LAWS OF LIFE: 2006 Archive

Winners of local Laws of Life essay contests during the 2005-2006 school year were entered in the statewide judging.

The winners of the statewide contest were announced and prizes awarded at the Awards Banquet on September 28, 2006 in Columbus

High School Division

 First Place $500 Prize
Andrea D., 12th Grade 
Bluffton High School, Bluffton
Title: The Gift of Hope 
 

 Second Place $250 Prize
Angela H. 11th Grade 
Tri-Rivers Career Center, Marion
Title: The Past, the Present, and the Future 
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
Megan B. 12th Grade 
Elida High School, Elida
Title: Be Painted a Masterpiece 
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Nadia S., 11th Grade
Westfall High School, Williamsport
Title: Give a Little Time
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Matthew C., 10th Grade 
Talawanda High School, Oxford
Title: What Kills You 
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Josh C., 11th Grade 
Springfield High School, Holland
Title: Courage, Bravery, and Pride - My Personal Laws of Life
  

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Jonathan G. 9th Grade 
Valley High School, Lucasville
Title: Keep the Memories
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Lacey H., 9th Grade 
Valley High School, Lucasville
Title: The Peppermint Man 
  

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Aimee M., 12th Grade 
Theodore Roosevelt High School, Kent
Title: Lessons from the Elderly
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Ashley N., 11th Grade 
Green High School, Green
Title: A Mother's Love
 

Middle School Division

 First Place $200 Prize
Michelle M. 5th Grade 
Bellaire Middle School, Bellaire 
Title: Momma Says 
 

 Second Place $100 Prize 
Hannah S. 8th Grade 
Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Jr/Sr High School, Ripley
Title: Laws of Life 

 Third Place $75 Prize
Ashley W., 8th Grade 
ECOT Middle School
Title: The Keys to Unlock an Extraordinary Life 
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Angela R., 8th Grade
ECOT Middle School
Title: Laws of Life
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Brooke B., 8th Grade 
Wadsworth Middle School, Wadsworth
Title: I Can 

 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Zachary B., 6th Grade 
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Title: Family
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Anna C. 
Wadsworth Middle School, Wadsworth
Title: What's Important to Me
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Catherine H., 8th Grade 
Genoa Middle School, Westerville
Title: Laws of Life

 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Samantha K., 8th Grade 
Miller City-New Cleveland School. Miller City
Title: Laws of Life

 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Betsy M., 8th Grade 
Green Middle School, Green
Title: An Attitude of Gratitude

 

 

2005

LAWS OF LIFE: 2005 Archive

Winners of local Laws of Life essay contests during the 2004--2005 school year were entered in the statewide judging.

The winners of the statewide contest were announced and prizes awarded at the Awards Banquet of the 6th Governor's Summit on Character Education on October 26, 2005 in Columbus.

High School Division

 First Place $500 Prize
Jessie Z., Grade 9 
Springfield High School, Holland
Title: “Don’t Give Up” 
 

 Second Place $250 Prize
Evelyn S., Grade 9 
Valley High School, Lucasville
Title: “What You Make It to Be”
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
Laura, Grade 12 
Bath High School, Lima
Title: “The True Meaning of Success” 
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Gesele B., Grade 10 
Colonel White High School, Dayton
Title: “An Angel’s Memoir” 
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Alice B., Grade 11 
Tri-Rivers Career Center, Marion
Title: “A Dedicated Soul” 
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Sean Patrick C., Grade 9 
Talawanda High School, Oxford
Title: “To Kill a Blackbird"
  

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Shayna, Grade 11 
Westfall High School, Williamsport
Title: “New Years 2005- Everyone Makes Mistakes"
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Sarah McGary, Grade 11 
Faith Community Christian High School, Belmont
Title: “No Guarantee on Tomorrow”
  

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Keri W., Grade 10 
Delphos Jefferson High School, Delphos
Title: “Laws of My Siblings”
 

Middle School Division

 First Place $200 Prize
Jami S., Grade 7 
Beallsville High School, Beallsville
Title: “Highway to Success”
 

 Second Place $100 Prize (Tied)
Cory Ryan K., Grade 7 
ECOT Middle School
Title: “Laws of Life” 

 Third Place $75 Prize
Brandon H., Grade 7 
Beallsville High School, Beallsville
Title: “Laws of Life”  
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Jesse D., Grade 7 
Bellaire Middle School, Bellaire 
Title: “My Rules of Life” 
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Michaela K., Grade 6 
Stanton Middle School
Title: “Lessons in Life”

 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Nicole Lynn M., Grade 8 
Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Jr/Sr High School, Ripley
Title: “Laws of Life”
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Dana O., Grade 7 
Miller City-New Cleveland School. Miller City
Title: “Laws of Life  
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Ryan P., Grade 8 
Green Middle School, Green
Title: “Small Risks Equal Big Results” 

 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Hannah S., Grade 8 
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Title: “Make Some Lemonade”

 

2004

LAWS OF LIFE: 2004 Archive

Winners of local Laws of Life essay contests during the 2003-2004 school year were entered in the statewide judging.

The winners of the statewide contest were announced and prizes awarded at the Awards Banquet of the Governor's Summit on Character Education on September 27, 2004 in Columbus.

High School Division

 First Place $500 Prize
Laura S., Grade 12
Springfield High School, Holland
Essay title "Butterfly"
 

 Second Place $250 Prize
Mary E., Grade 11
Green High School, Green
Essay title “No Day But Today”
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
Brittany H., Grade 9
Valley High School, Lucasville
Essay title “Everything Will Be OK”
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Casey B., Grade 9
Talawanda High School, Oxford
Essay title “Hard Work Pays Off”
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Katie B., Grade 11
Shawnee High School, Lima
Essay title “The Little Blonde Girl”
  

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Joseph H., Grade 12
John Marshall High School, Cleveland
Essay title "You can come…"
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Michaela M., Grade 9
St Thomas Aquinas High School, Louisville
Essay title "The Saving Power"
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Huy S., Grade 12
John Marshall High School, Cleveland
Essay title "Inspiration for Success"
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
David T., Grade 12
Shawnee High School, Lima
Essay title “Messages on Life”
 

Middle School Division

 First Place $200 Prize
Bethany Lee M., Grade 6
Miller South School for Performing Arts, Akron
Essay title “The Characteristics That Make You You” 
 

 Second Place $100 Prize
*tied
Allison R., Grade 7
Miller City -New Cleveland Schools, Miller City
Essay title “Who Ever Said Life Was Perfect?”

Jennifer S., Grade 8
Green Middle School, Green
Essay title "A Matter of Life and Death”
 





Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Donnie B., Grade 8
Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Jr/Sr High School, Ripley
Essay title "A Chain of Friendship”
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Stacy Lynn C., Grade 8
Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Jr/Sr High School, Ripley
Essay title “The Soup of Life”
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Hallie M., Grade 8
Green Middle School, Green
Essay title “Attitude of Gratitude”
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Kristin M., Grade 8
 Stanton Middle School, Kent
Essay title “A Different Perspective”
 

 
Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Benjamin S., Grade 8
 ECOT Middle School
Essay title "Why I Am"
 

Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Matthew T., Grade 8
 Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Jr/Sr High School, Ripley
Essay title "My Experiences"
 

2003

LAWS OF LIFE: 2003 Archive

Winners of local Laws of Life essay contests during the 2002-2003 school year were entered in the statewide judging.

The winners of the statewide contest were announced and prizes awarded at the Awards Banquet of the Governor's Summit on Character Education on September 21, 2003 in Columbus.

High School Division

 First Place $500 Prize
David T. 11th grade
Shawnee High School, 
Shawnee Local Schools, Lima
Title: My Laws of Life Came from Books I was Read
 

 Second Place $250 Prize
Ashley D. 9th grade
Valley High School, 
Valley Local Schools, Lucasville
Title: The Challenge of my Life
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
Brian 12th Grade
Theodore Roosevelt High School, 
Kent City Schools, Kent
Title: Life is Like a Box of Chocolates
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Amelia D. 11th grade
Green High School, 
Green Local Schools, Green
Title: An Act of Giving 
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Ashley D. 9th grade 
Valley High School, 
Valley Local Schools, Lucasville
Title: Looking for the Rainbow
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Amy G. 12th grade
Bath High School, 
Bath Local Schools, Lima
Title: I Think of You 
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Amy J. 10th grade
Talawanda High School, 
Talawanda City School District, Oxford
Title: Seeds of Empathy
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Debbie M. 10th grade
John Marshall High School, 
Cleveland City Schools, Cleveland
Title: There is Harmony and inner peace to be found in a moral compass that points in the same direction regardless of fashion or trend.
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Christie R. 11th grade
Delphos Jefferson High School, 
Delphos City Schools, Delphos
Title: Grandma’s Pocketbook
 

Middle School Division

 First Place $200 Prize
David L. 6th grade
Stanton Middle School, 
Kent City Schools, Kent
Title: Friendship 
 

 Second Place $100 Prize
Paul O. 7th grade
Stanton Middle School, 
Kent City Schools, Kent
Title: Be A Good Neighbor

 

 Third Place $75 Prize
Sarah J. 7th grade
Stanton Middle School, 
Kent City Schools, Kent
Title: Courage 
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Hannah B. 7th grade
Stanton Middle School, 
Kent City Schools, Kent
Title: Honesty 
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Ta’shawna C. 8th grade
Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Jr/Sr High School, Ripley
Title: Laws of Life 
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Annie G. 7th grade
Stanton Middle School, 
Kent City Schools, Kent
Title: The Compass In My Life
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Meg O. 8th grade
Liberty Center Middle School
Title: The Dictionary Is The Only Place Where Success Comes Before Work 
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Erica W. 6th grade
Sheridan Elementary, 
Youngstown City Schools, Youngstown
Title: How Heart, Dignity, Faith And Responsibility Make Me 
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Tachieka W. 6th grade
Sheridan Elementary, 
Youngstown City Schools, Youngstown
Title: The Way I Live My Life To The Fullest With My Head Up High
 

2002

LAWS OF LIFE: 2002 Archive

Winners of local Laws of Life essay contests during the 2001-2002 school year were entered in the statewide judging.

The winners of the statewide contest were announced and prizes awarded at the Awards Banquet of the Governor's Summit on Character Education on September 23, 2002 in Columbus.

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

 First Place $500 Prize
Kara K., Grade 11
River Valley High School, Marion
Essay title "Conquering your goals" 
 

 Second Place $250 Prize
Emily K., Grade 10
Delphos St John's High School, Delphos
Essay title "The Directions to Love"
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
James C., Grade 12
Theodore Roosevelt High School, Kent
Essay title "Changes"
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Kristine B., Grade 12
Elida High School, Elida
Essay title "Laws of Life Poem" 
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Christine R., Grade 12
Theodore Roosevelt High School, Kent
Essay title "Laws of Life Essay"
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Cody T., Grade 11
Delphos Jefferson High School
Essay title "The Big Red Tool Box" 
 

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION

 First Place $200 Prize
Jeff R., Grade 8
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Essay title "My Life's Advice" 
 

 Second Place $100 Prize
Cara B., Grade 8
St Charles Borromeo, Kettering
Essay title "The Root of Hate" 
 

 Third Place $75 Prize
Paul O., Grade 6
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Essay title "Laws of Life Essay"
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
D'Andrea K., Grade 8
Ripley Junior High, Ripley
Essay title "Community Resources Laws of Life"
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Benjamin R., Grade 6
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Essay title "Laws of Life Essay"
 

 Honorable Mention $25 Prize
Kyle R., Grade 8
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Essay title "My Aunt Named Perseverance"
 

Email lucy.frontera@charactereducationohio.org or call 614-486-6531 x137 with questions or for further information.

2001

LAWS OF LIFE: 2001 Archive

Winners of local Laws of Life essay contests during the 2000-2001 school year were entered in the statewide judging.

The winners of the statewide contest were announced and prizes awarded at the Awards and Recognition Banquet of the Governor's Summit on Character Education on September 25, 2001 in Columbus. 

 First Place $400 Prize
Laura M., Grade 6
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Essay title "The Law of Life"
 

 Second Place $200 Prize
Nadine R., Grade 10
Bath Local High School, Lima
Essay title "My Father, A Good Man"
 

 Third Place $100 Prize
Danny C., Grade 9
Shawnee Local High School, Lima
Essay title "What my Parents Taught Me"
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Meghan M., Grade 8
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Essay title "Laws of Life"
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Rachel C., Grade 8
Stanton Middle School, Kent
Essay title "Values of Life"
 

 Honorable Mention $50 Prize
Kim K., Grade 12
Delphos St. John High School, Lima
Essay title "Recipe: Peanut Blossoms (The Laws by which I Live)