6th graders come up with ideas through Rotary’s Four-Way Test Essay Contest
One of the world’s most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is
the Four-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy
This 24-wordtest for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, productioin, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple phiilosophy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943 the Four-Way test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and pbulished in thousands of ways.
The Arnold Club reiinstated the 4-Way Test Essay Contest this last school year, using guidelines that Taylor used in the past and then updated the information, rules and awards.
Sixth-tenth grades English and Journalism teacher, Nicole Badgley offered the essay contest to her 6th grade classroom, asking them to write about something that would benefit the community.
At their May 9 meeting, Arnold Rotarians iinvited the three winning students and their parents to attend this meeting. the kids read their essays and answered a few follow-up questions after.
The first-place winner of $100 was Jose Melendez with an essay about the need to plant trees at the Arnold Recreation Area where so many of the trees would be beneficial to everyone. He was happy to learn that project of planting trees is already in the works.
The secon place $50 winner was Carlee Smith with an essay about the need for a dog park at the recreation area. She mentioned that it would be beneficial to both residents and campers at the park and would create friendships.
The third place winner of $25 was Addison Dalrymple. Her essay spoke about the need for lockers at the local pool. She said that swimmers have to leave their belongings as well as their phones, on benches around the pool, and some are stolen. She felt this would be fair to everyone.
The students used materials that the club purchased, a children’s book titled “Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure” and “Becky and Lin’s Apple Orchard Park” to demonstrate the concept of the 4-Way test when it is applied to a community situation. Though they were children’s books, they were a fast and effective was to demonstrate how a couple of kids could change their community for the better.
One Rotarian said, “It was nice to see our community through the eyes of a child. They actually see what the village needs that adults never pay attention to.”
“The kids had some amazing ideas, and during judging, Rotary kept the essays for future projects. Rotary also took a couple of the essays to the Village Board meeting since some of the work would be under their jurisdiction for repairs.