“Progress depends on diligence and perseverance”
Do you realize that one of the most precious resources we have is our time? According to the Wall Street Journal’s book On Management: The
Competition Requirements
Theme: “Moving Forward with the Laws of Life”
As The Commonwealth of The Bahamas prepares to celebrate 50 years as an independent nation, what does it mean to you? The words vision, progress, positivity, love, wisdom, learning, and success come to mind. Each law selected as a topic for the 2023 Laws of Life Competition espouses one of these terms.
Moving forward, upward and onward requires continuous self-improvement. Personal growth also plays an integral part in the well-being of our community and ultimately our nation. Using one of the selected laws of life for your division, explain the meaning of the law and its effect on your life and how you see this linked to the important work of nation building.
Visit the resources page for helpful writing tips as you craft your essay.
Instructions for Students
As you write your essay, please select the law below that expresses a key value and/or ideal by which you should live. Explain why the chosen value/ideal is important to the way you live your life by discussing your experiences, the lessons you’ve learned, and people who have served as living examples of your chosen value/ideal.
Once you have completed your essay or video, visit the “Submit Your Essay” page to register for the Laws of Life competition and submit your essay or video.
Rules
Contest Notes
Previous 1st prize and 2nd prize winners may not enter another contest within the same division. 3rd prize winners may enter another contest at any time.
Entries become the possession of the Laws of Life contest committee. The award-winning entries may be made available for publication.
PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE WRITING UNIT FOR RESULTS. The decision of the judges is FINAL.
2023 Laws
Primary Division
Grades 5-6
Do you realize that one of the most precious resources we have is our time? According to the Wall Street Journal’s book On Management: The
The actor-humorist Groucho Marx once joked that he would never belong to any club that would accept him as a member. For people, though, the
Select with care the area of your livelihood and make certain you love what you do. When you love your work and hold the attitude
Word Limit
250-350 Words
Please Note that ORIGINALITY is important. Essays under 250 words and more than 350 words will be disqualified. Word count must be noted at the end of the essay.
Junior Division
Grades 7-9
Do you realize that one of the most precious resources we have is our time? According to the Wall Street Journal’s book On Management: The
Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics in Dallas, Texas, is as well known for her charitable giving to worthy causes as she
Two students, Bill and Mike, moved to new towns with their parents. Bill disliked his new community from the first day. He felt the new
Word Limit
400-550 Words
Please Note that ORIGINALITY is important. Essays under 400 words and more than 550 words will be disqualified. Word count must be noted at the end of the essay.
Senior Division
Grades 10-12
Do you realize that one of the most precious resources we have is our time? According to the Wall Street Journal’s book On Management: The
Sometimes, as we start out in adult life, we may not feel like much of a success. Our society frequently defines success as the material
Norman Cousins made the statement, “Fortunately or otherwise, we live at a time when the average individual has to know several times as much in
Word Limit
600-850 Words
Please Note that ORIGINALITY is important. Essays under 600 words and more than 850 words will be disqualified. Word count must be noted at the end of the essay.
College Division
Participants must be 25 or under and registered at a local tertiary institution. Proof of Birth and registration must be attached to application.
Do you realize that one of the most precious resources we have is our time? According to the Wall Street Journal’s book On Management: The
An ancient proverb states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It is a way of saying that everyone needs dreams and a goal
Ralph Waldo Emerson, in many of his masterful essays, pondered this formula. He was expected to follow in the steps of his father and grandfather
Word Limit
850-1000 Words
Please Note that ORIGINALITY is important. Essays under 850 words and more than 1000 words will be disqualified. Word count must be noted at the end of the essay.
Essay MARKING Criteria
ESSAYS ARE MARKED ON THE CRITERIA BELOW. YOU CAN USE THIS AS A GUIDE AS YOU WRITE YOUR ESSAY AND TO CHECK YOUR WORK BEFORE YOU SUBMIT.
Video Division
Create a short video using the following Law of Life:
“We carry within us the wonders that we seek without us”
The purpose of the video is to demonstrate what the law means and how it factors in everyday life. Feature live people, stills, animation—whatever you think best conveys your message.
Video Specifications and Submission Process
Visit the Submit page to register and submit your video.
Requirements
One student must be designated as lead producer/director for the video. In addition, the Online Registration Form must include the name, cell phone number, and e-mail address of the teacher/parent who can be contacted about the entry if needed.
A release is required from each person who has a speaking role or is otherwise distinctly featured in the video, as well as those involved in the production of the video. (This authorization assures that those involved know that the video may be shown publicly without further consent required. The release(s) must accompany the Online Registration form and video. It must be signed by the participant(s), and if the participant/student is a minor, it must be signed by the participants’s parent/guardian. You may download the release form here and/or on the “Submit” page in the Video section.
Video content must not promote illegal behavior; discriminate against or support prejudice toward others along ethnic, racial, religious, or sexual grounds; invade the privacy of any person; support or oppose a candidate for elected office or advocate for the passage or defeat of legislation; or otherwise be inappropriate as determined by the Templeton World Charity Foundation Inc. or the Ministry of Education.
All videos will be judged anonymously. It is therefore requested that as much as possible, entrants should not mention actual names of participants or schools in the video.
Please note that professionals in media, public relations, and education will participate in the judging process to help determine the winners.
Video MARKING Criteria
The most prestigious essay competition
in The Bahamas.