BBB Akron's Laws of Life contest: Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility for Entering
Any student in grades 9-12 attending any high school in Ashland, Medina, Portage, Richland, Summit and Wayne counties are eligible to submit their Laws of Life Essay to the BBB of Akron Essay Contest. We are requesting that the classroom teacher submit the best essays to the contest.
What grade levels can participate?
Students in grades 9-12.
What is the essay topic and is there a maximum length?
There is no specific essay prompt. Essays should follow either the UncommonSense® FRAMEWORK themes or John Templeton's "laws of life."
Essays should be no more than three typed, double-spaced pages.
How many entries can be submitted?
Each teacher will be asked to submit the top 5% of their classroom student’s essays to the BBB for judging. The finalists will be notified in May 2022.
Special Theme Award for 2022
The special theme for 2022 is Transformation. We ask students to reflect on what Transformation means to them, why it is an important Law of Life, how they learned the trait, and how they have changed their behavior to live up to that law. The best essay on this topic will be awarded $250.00. Students are not required to write about this topic, but if students choose to write about ethics, the best essay on that topic may be submitted as an additional entry for that school. For further assessment for this award click here.
What awards are given?
Cash prizes will be awarded for the winning essays. Amounts are indicated below. All student finalists will receive recognition from the BBB as well as a certificate of honor. Teachers and the local contest coordinator will also receive cash awards.
Individual Awards
| Level | Best Overall | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Honorable Mention |
| Student | $500 | $250 | $150 | $100 | $50 |
| Teacher* | $75 | $50 | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Local Coordinator* | $50 | $50 | $25 | $25 | $25 |
*Maximum Award $200
Submitting Entries
To submit entries by mail:
- Fill out an entry form for each essay to be submitted (see "How many entries" above), forms can be downloaded from the "Downloadable Documents" list below.
- Obtain the student and parent/guardian signatures.
- Paperclip (please no staples) the entry form to one copy of each essay - one sided and on white paper only. No names or identifying information should appear on the essays.
- Complete a Contest Coordinator Questionnaire and submit with your essays.
- Entries must be postmarked by March 4th, 2022.
- Send entries and Contest Coordinator Questionnaire postmarked by March 4th, 2022 to:
Kim Ickes
Laws of Life Essays
BBB of Akron
222 W Market Street
Akron, OH 44303
Entries need to be emailed or postmarked by March 4th, 2022.