“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. What we make of our selves, what we make of our lives, is a matter of choice -- our choice, and our responsibility.”
- Paraphrased -- Harry Potter's being counseled by the wise old headmaster, Dumbledore

The Center’s character matters essay contest originated from the Templeton Foundation’s “Laws of Life” essay contest ( http://lawsoflife.org. )that emphasizes “the core values, ideals, and principles by which we live.”

The Character Matters Essay Contest provides a platform for insightful classroom discussion and students’ personal reflections on their experiences that foster one or more of the Center’s 10 BADGES OF CHARACTER –respect, responsibility, compassion, courage, perseverance, trust, honesty, gratitude, self-discipline, and citizenship.
This essay contest offers students an opportunity for conscious reflection and writing about these character traits.

What are the student awards?

There are three contest divisions:

1. elementary schools, grades 4 & 5
2. middle schools, grades 6-8
3. high schools, grades 9-12

There are three students winners in each category.

• 1st place: a $125 check and a plaque
  
• 2nd place: a $75 check and a plaque
  
• 3rd place: a $50 check and a plaque

What are the teacher awards?

Each teaching submitting one or two essays receives

• a classroom set of “Certificates of Participation”
  
• a discount coupon to the CDC summer conference.

The nine (9) teachers of winning students receive

• a packet of 10 “Badges of Character” posters
  
• a conference fee discount coupon
  
• a classroom set of “Certificates of Participation”
  
• a character education book

Students should write a 2 - 3 page essay on the topic why character matters (see prompts below) which may be word-processed or handwritten.

Each teacher submits two essays from his/her class. That means that the teacher is the first reviewer. Each teacher must submit, with the two student's essays, an official contest entry form.

Students winners and their teachers will be notified by mail or email. The awards will be delivered to the teacher at his/her school. The winning teacher and the school principal will decide the best venue for presenting the award to the winning student usually at the school’s awards ceremony.

What is the teacher’s role?

We recommend the following plan:

SEPTEMBER

• Announce the contest opportunity
  
• Discuss/brainstorm with students about "laws of life," definitions of character, and why character matters
  
• Plan bi-monthly class meetings to discuss character and how the essay connects to your school's character education program
  

OCTOBER

• Brainstorm possible topics with your students on how character makes a difference in their lives or in the lives of others
  
• Review the winning essays in the 2011 contest

NOVEMBER

• Work with students on the structure of their essays: introduction, supporting paragraphs, conclusion, voice of the essay, and purpose of writing their particular essay
  
• Create an opportunity for peer editing of the rough draft

DECEMBER

• Have students write or type their final draft.
  
• Read all of the essays submitted by the students in your class(es).
  
• Select one or two of the best essays with an official contest entry form.

JANUARY

• The teachers of student winners will be notified by email.
  
• Winning students will be notified once teacher have been informed.
  
• “Certificate of Participation” will be mailed to all teachers for distribution to students in their classes who entered the contest.
  
• A check and plaque will be mailed to the teacher and or principal who will decide the best venue for presenting the award to the winning student.

How do I help students decide their topics?

Hold discussions with your class on what character is and why it matters.

Discuss each of the 10 Badges of Character; maybe focus on one “badge” per week with specific lessons or use “teachable moments.”

See the link on the CDC web site for definitions of each “badge.”

Before students write their essays, use warm-up activities to generate ideas or topics.

Teachers often use journal entries, famous quotations, short inspirational essays and questionnaires.

Historical or literary figures are also frequently used by students as examples of the “10 Badges of Character” and positive role models.

Also encourage students to use their personal experiences (either positive or negative) to generate ideas.

Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.
- Lou Holtz, former football coach

Submittal Directions

1. Select one or two student essays for submission.
   
2. Fill out the entry form and attach it to each student's essay.
3. Make a copy of the students' essays and the form for your records.
4. Essays/entry form must be postmarked by Friday, December 13, 2013.
   
5. Mail the completed entry form and students' essays to:
   Character Development Center, Rm. 246 – B
   School of Leadership & Education Sciences
   University of San Diego,
   5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110

Download the registration form here.