The Better Business Bureau in Southeast Texas held its 1st Annual “Laws of Life” Awards Banquet on October 2, 2012, at the Holiday Inn & Suites Beaumont Plaza. The event honored eight Southeast Texas students who submitted award-winning essays in the BBB Consumer Education Foundation’s educational initiative, “Laws of Life”, which is an ethics and character-based essay contest. The room was filled with educators from all over Southeast Texas including Dr. Tim Chargois, Superintendent of Schools BISD, Dr. Jay Killgo, Superintendent of Schools Vidor ISD, Roger Pricer, Legacy Christian Academy Director, Marcia Stevens, Superintendent of Schools Diocese of Beaumont, Dr. Silvia Martinez, Assistant Superintendent West Orange Cove CISD, Jim Baxter with Region Five, who also served as keynote speaker, and many, many others. The evening was highlighted with awarding the “Laws of Life” Student winners for the 2011-2012 school year:
First place winning student, Elizabeth Clark, Vincent Middle School $200
Second place winning student, Jamey Graham, Vidor Middle School $150
Third place winning student, Cal Zackary, Legacy Christian Academy $100
Superior winning students, each receiving $50 - Alizabeth Buhler, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, Raven Edwards, Vincent Middle School, Travis Farias, Legacy Christian Academy, Reanna Panelo, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, and Joshua Smith, Vidor Middle School.
Elizabeth Clark, Jamey Graham and Cal Zackary, top “Laws of Life” award recipients, were invited to share their winning essays by reading them to the banquet guests.
The teachers who encouraged their students to participate in “Laws of Life” were honored for promoting character and ethics in the young people entrusted to their guidance and care. These teachers are:
Melissa Chapman, Vincent Middle School
Michelle Reynolds, Vidor Middle School
Kristen Odom, Vidor Middle School
Rob Harris, Legacy Christian Academy
Edna Earney, Legacy Christian Academy
Haidee Todora, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School
Two school campuses with highest participation were each awarded $200. Vidor Middle School for having the highest number of students participating, and Legacy Christian Academy for having the highest percentage of campus participation.
The BBB launched the “Laws of Life” program in early 2012 as a means of promoting character development for southeast Texas youth. The goal of the program is to provide an opportunity for young people to reflect on and write about the guiding principles by which they should strive to live. Forgiveness, compassion, love, fairness and appreciation are some of the topics students write about in their essays.
Over 450 students participated in this regional contest, which is open to all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in Southeast Texas. A judging panel made up of Southeast Texas leaders read essays and chose 8 finalists. Those who served on the “Laws of Life” judging committee are Jim Baxter, Program Director, Region 5; Mandy Clayton, Director of Financial Education, FivePoint Credit Union; Shaun Davis, Executive Director, SETX Regional Planning Commission; Judge Lupe Flores, Jefferson County Court at Law No. 2; Cindy Westfall, Executive Director, Junior Achievement of the Golden Triangle; and Pat Willard, Education Outreach Coordinator, Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program.
The “Laws of Life” Program for the 2012-2013 school year is underway in Southeast Texas! This contest requires students to think deeply about what their personal “laws of life” really are and what is most important to them. It encourages schools, communities and teachers to have soul-searching discussions with their young people to help them reflect on their choices and what principles would make life better. It prompts teachers to better understand their students, and helps communities learn what young people struggle with and overcome. To be a part of “Laws of Life” or for more information about this valuable initiative, please call Michelle Brewer, “Laws of Life” Program Director at the Better Business Bureau, 409-835-5951 x 102.
