Four Way Test Essay Winners

     The Rotary Four Way Test is a simple and practical test for ourselves of what we say and do:  Is it the Truth;  Is it Fair to All Concerned; Will it Build better Friendship and Goodwill;  Will It be Beneficial to All Concerned.  The Rotary Club of Wahpeton, ND has for several years challenged high school students to write an essay on any subject incorporating the Four Way Test.  At their regular noon hour meeting at Prante’s on Tuesday April 7^th. The members heard this year’s three local winning essays.  The top essay locally goes on to compete on a regional basis and if a winner there then at a District level.  The program Chair Vice-President Carolyn Hasse introduced the winners.

 

     The first prize of $ 200.00 went to Reed Rufer of Richland 44 H.S. for his essay on vaccines where he used the Four Way Test to prove that vaccination is possible and good.  It is true that vaccines work.  The fair issue was a question as to if it was fair for the rest of the community to carry the burden of people becoming ill because they do not get vaccinated.  The corollary was that it builds friendship and goodwill by getting vaccinated to look out for the community.  The benefit is to schools and employers and the community not to have everyone sick.

     The second prize of $ 150.00 went to Hanna Dahm from Richland 44 H.S.  for her essay: “Smoking: A Right or a Nuisance”.   Pointing out that the dangers of smoking had been proven many times over and as it is a danger to society as a whole cannot be construed as a right.  She questions how a person paying $ 1,850 each year, in most cases approximately 25 % of their income to sustain this habit was fair to the individual.  She also pointed out that second hand smoke definitely does not create the opportunity for better friendship and goodwill.  Time will reveal the pathology caused so smoking is not beneficial.  Her conclusion was that not only was smoking a nuisance but that far from being a right it should be made illegal.

     The third prize of $ 100.00 went to Madeline Wiger from Wahpeton H.S. for her essay on youth peer mentoring.  She began by quoting the test and noting that it requires honesty in every action and statement.  And that these actions and statements must be fair to all concerned including self.   Continuing she described mentoring as about connecting and helping students, typically freshmen, get their voice.  The value is that all can grow and be better both for self and the community.   Her message was that the Four Way Test works well in peer mentoring and is everywhere in our beliefs and ourselves.

 

     Following each presentation the students were questioned about their essay.   There were 27 entries to the contest many from Richland 44 H.S. as English teacher Christie Stenseth uses the contest as an essay assignment for her students.    It is nice to be paid for doing one’s homework!