Rotary District 5520
Organizing a 4-Way Test Essay Contest
Revision Date: 11-11-13
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
Thank you for your interest in the 4-Way Test Essay Contest! There are as many
ways to tackle this project as there are Clubs in the District. The main hurdle will
be getting a contact (teacher or counselor) in the schools that is willing to work
with your Club. Because of the timing, teacher preparation and judging of the test,
we suggest you initially contact the schools before the Christmas Holiday
Madness. Each Club, however, must decide the best way to get the essays
completed and submitted to the Club.
As the new kid on the 4-way Essay test block, I want to alert you to the changes in
the 4-Way Test Contest.
1. Of special import is that the original essay may be submitted in either English
or Spanish, since Spanish is an official language of RI. However, because both
most Rotarians are mono-linguistic, the reading at District Convention will be in
both languages. So, if your winning entry is written in Spanish, the winner needs
to be informed that they must translate their essay and be prepared to read both at
Conference.
2. A rule change was made in 2008/2009 to reflect that students can use a
computer, type or handwrites their essay. . That change led to new, unforeseen,
problems. Some students researched the topic online and the resulting essays were
obviously not the student reflections. The clue was the use of quotations. Using
spell check is okay, but essays with quotations will be considered invalid for
District awards.
3. We are asking that essays be written in a timed and controlled environment. The
goal is to encourage the thinking and writing of young people. Eighth graders do
not sound like adults: they have a special, unique honesty to what they say.
3. The District travel allowance goes to whoever reads their essay at the District
Conference. Hopefully, it will be the 1st place winner. But if not, the travel
allowance goes to the young person who comes to the Conference. Please note
that we will arrange for an overnight stay for that person and one escort, if they are
traveling a long distance.
The attached outline and sample forms are designed to facilitate setting up a 4-Way
Test Essay Contest in your community’s schools.
It’s great that you are making the effort necessary to conduct this project.
Ouida MacGregor
District 5520 4-Way Test Chairman
Contact information:
Ouida MacGregor
2319 Calle Camarico
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Cell: (505) 470-6394
Email: [email protected]
Purpose of contest
To provide an opportunity for youth through written expression to explain their
understanding of the concept of the principles in the 4-Way Test as it relates to their
lives, their experiences, and / or society in general.
Suggested time schedule
December - Contact middle school(s) in your area and request their participation in your
contest. Once you have gotten the Administration’s approval, send announcements to
English teachers and/or counselors at all area middle schools announcing contest. Include
the following information.
1. Who is eligible to compete
2. Rules
3. Prizes
4. Entry forms
5. Copy of the 4-Way Test
6. 4-Way Test resource information
7. Copy of scoring sheet
8. Sample essay
9. Deadlines & dates for each stage of the competition
10. Winner’s obligation at each stage of the competition
January - The contest officially starts. Decide on a deadline for all entries, usually about
the first or second week of February. Advertise, promote and encourage participation.
Decide who will judge the essays. A suggested scoring sheet is available on-line. Keep
promoting the contest. Remember to follow-up with school contacts.
February - Have all essays turned in by February 15th. This will give the judges about 2
weeks before getting them back to you. By March 1st, you should have the names and
placing of your 3 winners.
March - This is your time to celebrate the winners! Have them come to your Club with
their families to read their essays and present them with their awards/recognition.
Promote it as a Club event, making the kids and their parents proud. Send the 1st Place
essay to the District 4-Way Test Chairman no later than March 21, 2014.
April –The District Chairman will have chosen 5 judges, representing each of the five
district regions. By April 15th, the District Chairman will notify the sponsoring Clubs of
the three winners. The 1st Place essay will be read at District Conference in Las Cruces,
NM, May 2-5, 2013. If the author of the winning essay is not able to attend the District
Conference the 2nd or 3rd place winner will be scheduled. The travel allowance will be
awarded the student reading his or her essay at the Conference.
Theme for 2012/2013
How will using the 4-Way Test help me be a better family member?
Eligibility: Eighth grade students
Essay length: 300 to 500 words
Rules
1. The essay can be handwritten, typed, or composed on a computer, double spaced and
single sided.
2. Essays should be written in a timed and controlled environment.
3. When submitting an essay to the District the student’s name, school, city, parent’s
phone number, parent’s e-mail address, sponsoring club, and club contact
information must be provided in the cover sheet (available on-line).
Judging criteria: Although grammar, punctuation, and spelling are taken into consideration,
thought and content are the main criteria for choosing a winner.
District Prizes:
 1st place
$400.00 and recognition plaque
 2nd place
$200.00 and recognition plaque
 3rd place
$125.00 and recognition plaque
Honorable Mention Certificates will be awarded to others students that submit outstanding
essays.
Club Prizes: Each club is encouraged to have its own award ceremony.