Four-Way Test Essay Contest
Only For Bernardo Heights Middle School Students
The Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo annually awards a $250 scholarship prize to the winner of a “Four-Way Test” essay competition.
“The Four-Way Test” is a set of guiding principles for Rotary Clubs, businesses, professional groups, and others throughout the world. In 1932, in the heart of the Great Depression, Herbert J. Taylor, a Chicago Rotarian was assigned the task of saving the Club Aluminum Products Company from imminent bankruptcy. After considerable thought, he wrote the following to attempt to stimulate workers, management, suppliers, advertisers, and even competitors to develop and maintain high ethical standards in human relations:
Of all the things we think, say, and do:
1) Is it the Truth?
2) Is it Fair to all concerned?
3) Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
4) Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
The company survived and eventually prospered, and The Four-Way Test has since been reproduced in many languages throughout the world.
Instructions:
- Write an essay (not much longer than one page, double-spaced) showing how “The Four-Way Test” applies to you and how you envision it in your future.
- Give the essay to Ms. Burke or one of the Social Studies Teachers.
- Judges will consist primarily of BHMS teachers and staff.
- The winner will be announced at the 8th Grade Awards Assembly at the end of the school year.
- The winner will be expected to attend a designated RB Rotary Club meeting and read his/her essay. The Club meets on Thursday noon at the Bernardo Heights Country Club. Your parents will be invited.
- Your $250 scholarship prize will be held in escrow by the RB Rotary Club Foundation until the time that you have been accepted at and enrolled in the college, university, community college, trade school or technical school of your choice.