Page 12 - May-June-July Life In Naples Magazine

STATETOHFECITY
LAWS OF LIFE
MAYOR JOHN SOREY T he Laws of Life is a character education essay/speech contest,
which focuses on 12 basic character traits: citizenship,
cooperation, courage, fairness, honesty, kindness, patriotism,
perseverance, respect, responsibility, self-control, and tolerance. Students
in grades 4 through 12 throughout Collier County submit essays on
the assigned trait(s). This was the 19th year for the contest, which
began in 1996. The idea of the Laws of Life was originally presented to
the City of Naples and was promoted by the late Bonnie MacKenzie,
former Council Member and Mayor of the
City of Naples. The contest is sponsored by the
City of Naples, the Collier County Sheriff ’s
Office, the SW Florida 49ers, and the Collier
County Public Schools. This year, more than
4,000 students contributed essays. These essays inclusion in “Winning Ways,” an annually
were judged and narrowed down to the top 10
in each division (4th and 5th grades, middle
school, 9th and 10th grades, and 11th and
12th grades). Oral presentations of the essays
were done by these students in front of a Blue
Ribbon Panel of Judges, who select the four
finalists in each division. The contest ends with a banquet where the
order of the finalists is announced, and the first place finalist in each
division presents his/her essay orally. The essays that these children write
are truly amazing.
Students initially write essays connected to an annual Character
Education, Laws of Life theme. Participating public and private schools
then send their top ten essays to the district level for judging.The student
essays are scored by a committee of readers and the top ten students
in each division are invited then to participate in an oral phase of the
competition. Once again a committee composed of community judges
scores the presentations. The top four student finalists in each division
are then invited, along with the parents and teacher to attend the annual
banquet where the finalists are recognized and presented with their
awards. The banquet is generally attended by the Mayor, members of
City and County Government, and selected educational and community
leaders. The winning students’ oral presentations in each category are
videotaped and then shown several times throughout SW Florida on the
Educational Channel of local Cable TV. (www.naplesgov.com, Click the
naplesTV link and view March 4th meeting).
The Winning entries are then sent on to the Templeton Foundation,
12
“Our young people are
the future leaders of this
wonderful place we call
home. It is important
that they understand
values, respect and
understanding,
personally, professionally
”and socially.
who sponsors the program nationally, for possible
published student volume containing the best
entries of the “Laws of Life” Program. Collier
County students have several times had their
writings published in this student-authored book.
Why is “Laws of Life” important to the City
of Naples? Our young people are the future
leaders of this wonderful place we call home. It
is important that they understand values, respect
and understanding, personally, professionally
and socially.
Having positive character traits that lead to
responsible citizenship and a successful life will
continue to ensure to make Naples the best place
in America to work, live and play.
I encourage all students to get involved in the
“Laws of Life” program, I also suggest our young
people learn more about and volunteer in our local
government.
As always I ask our residents who have
ideas, suggestions or comments to contact me at
239.213.1000 or jsorey@naplesgov.com.
Life in Naples | May • June • July 2015