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Carlos Jimenez (CONTRIBUTED)
The Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest announced state winners April 9 for its 2023-24 contest. Putnam County High School (PCHS) 10th grader Carlos Jimenez was named state winner in the writing competition for the George A. Stewart Jr. Character in Action Award.
The Rotary Club of Green and Putnam Counties is the local sponsor for the school-level contest.
In addition to top placement in Georgia, Carlos was named PCHS winner for writing “Your Situation Does Not Define You; You Define Your Situation.”
Other PCHS students who received honorable mentions at the school level were Caydin Pittman, Leland Erickson, and Savannah Tanner.
For the 2023-24 state contest, 33,686 students entered essays, and 60 participating Rotary clubs in Georgia awarded more than $18,150 in cash prizes. Awards went to 178 school winners, grade winners, and select teachers from 56 high schools throughout Georgia, with additional students receiving honorable mentions.
Throughout the spring, winning students will read their essays for audiences at local and district-wide Rotary Club meetings and at regional Rotary conferences.
“The essay contest is an opportunity for Rotary clubs to share their ‘Service Above Self’ motto with local students and schools,” Executive Director for Georgia Laws of Life Carol Gray Walker said.
The Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest is made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. Additional support comes from Rotary Clubs, corporations, and individual donors throughout Georgia.