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Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest

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Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest

What is your Law of Life? That's what young people ponder when they participate in the Laws of Life Essay Contest. There is no right answer or quick response.

In order to succeed in this activity, contest participants reflect and write from the heart. Laws of Life are short, pithy sayings or quotations that reveal the core values that make up a person’s character. Memorable and meaningful, these Laws of Life often serve as guideposts to a person journeying through life.

08/26/2026

What a way to kick off a new Georgia Laws of Life contest year!

Last week, educators, Rotarians, students, and supporters came together for our annual Teacher & Rotarian Workshop Luncheon to celebrate the impact of Georgia Laws of Life and prepare for another year of helping students across Georgia reflect, write, and discover their voices.

Board Co-Chair Julie Bourassa Goldberg opened the luncheon by celebrating the incredible partnership between Georgia Laws of Life and Rotary Clubs across the state and sharing an exciting milestone: we’re quickly approaching one million essays written by Georgia students!

The highlight of the day was hearing directly from two of this year’s student winners. State Winner Sydney Mucke Hill High School and Susan G. Mason Founder’s Award recipient Sydney Harwell McIntosh High School shared their award-winning essays, reminding us exactly why this work matters. McIntosh High School Contest Chair Felicia Gunn also shared what the contest looks like within her school and the impact she sees firsthand.

Executive Director Carol Gray Walker shared what’s ahead for the 2026-2027 contest, including new opportunities to engage and recognize students and teachers, while we also celebrated exciting work underway to strengthen Georgia Laws of Life through partnerships with KSU, Emory, and Pro Bono Analytics.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the teachers and Rotarians preparing to bring Georgia Laws of Life to students this fall.

Here’s to another year of reflection, student voices, and stories worth sharing!

08/25/2026

Two weeks ago, our summer intern, Fiona, concluded her time in the Emory Summer Servant Leadership Program sponsored by Emory's Center of Ethics at their final luncheon! She completed a final presentation with her peers on her involvement with Georgia Laws of Life and made our staff a surprise GLL felt craft. Thank you to Dr. Queen and Ms. Henderson for inviting us to the luncheon and for working with us this summer.

08/24/2026

Our summer intern, Fiona, engaged with the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest from a new perspective when she wrote her own Law of Life essay as part of the EASL Summer Internship Program through Emory’s Center for Ethics.

In her essay, Fiona reflects on her journey to rediscover self-confidence and purpose through leadership. As a child, she was outspoken and confident (perhaps overly so, she admits), but somewhere along the way, self-doubt and fear of judgment began to take over.

Stepping into leadership roles throughout high school, and now college, helped her to find her way back. It wasn’t always easy, but through those experiences, Fiona developed a stronger sense of who she is, what she values, and the kind of person she wants to become for the world.

And that's what a Law of Life can do: it allows people to look at the experiences that have shaped us, reflect on what they've learned, and put into words the values that guide them forward.

As teachers across Georgia prepare to introduce the Laws of Life Essay Contest in their classrooms this fall, we hope Fiona’s story is a reminder of what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to reflect on their lives, discover their voices, and recognize their own potential.

What story do you want to share about yourself? Comment below!

08/20/2026

Tomorrow is the day!

Join us for the Georgia Laws of Life Teacher & Rotarian Workshop Luncheon as we kick off another exciting contest year and bring together the educators, Rotarians, and supporters who make this experience possible for students across Georgia.

Can’t join us in person? Join us on Zoom!

Simply register for the luncheon and we’ll email you the Zoom link so you can tune in from wherever you are.

All registered attendees will receive a recording of the luncheon following the event, so you can watch even if you can’t join us live.

Tomorrow, August 21 | 11:15 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
In Person + Zoom | Free to Attend

Register today: https://georgialawsoflife.org/events/

We hope to see you tomorrow, whether it’s in the room or on the screen!

07/31/2026

Jennifer Yanulavich, treasurer of Georgia Laws of Life and 4-year Board of Directors member, shares why students should participate in the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest.
Georgia Laws of Life offers you the opportunity to practice a different kind of writing. One that isn't confined by standardized testing. One that lets you tell your truth how you want your truth to be told. And hey, this might be perfect practice for your personal statement for college applications.
Head to our website (give link or link in bio) to find out how your school can participate!

07/23/2026

What if you could SEE a student's Law of Life?

Putnam County High School and Furlow Charter School students brought the spirit of Georgia Laws of Life to new, creative avenues by transforming their Georgia Laws of Life essays into engaging, eye-catching posters inspired by the values and life lessons they wrote about.
The result? A powerful demonstration of how our stories can be communicated in a multitude of ways, including digital design.

Thank you to the amazing educators for finding creative ways to help students reflect, express themselves, and share the principles that guide their lives: stepping stones that are crucial for students to find identity and belonging.

Swipe to see a few of these incredible student creations and let us know which one speaks to YOU the most!

07/02/2026

When most of your work is remote, it's super exciting to meet who you are working for in-person!

Our summer intern, Fiona, joined the Board of Directors for their summer retreat last Saturday. There, she learned more about Georgia Laws of Life, including their goals for the upcoming year. Aside from taking photos and filming b-roll, she also had the chance to conduct exclusive interviews with some of the Board of Directors! Her key takeaway was learning about the inner workings of nonprofit development. From learning about the importance of community presence to project timelines and partnerships. She was touched by the commitment and stories of how the board of directors got involved with Georgia Laws of Life, and aspires to follow in their footsteps in providing the next generation a chance to tell their story. Stay tuned for more stories from the people who make Georgia Laws of Life possible!

06/29/2026

What does Georgia Laws of Life mean to you?

At our recent Board Retreat, we put our board members on the spot and asked them to answer that question in just a few words. 🎥

Their responses reflect the impact they've seen in students, schools, and communities across Georgia and why they're passionate about this work.

Now it's your turn. What does Georgia Laws of Life mean to you? 💙👇

06/26/2026

Behind every student essay, every school partnership, and every contest cycle is a dedicated group of volunteers working to make it all possible.

Last Saturday, the Georgia Laws of Life Board of Directors gathered from across Georgia to reflect on the past year, celebrate successes, and plan for an exciting 2026-2027 contest season.

Our board members generously volunteer their time, talents, and expertise to help ensure that thousands of students have the opportunity to reflect on their values, share their stories, and discover the power of their voice.

As we prepare to welcome another year of student writers, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our board for their leadership, vision, and commitment to Georgia's students.

We can't wait to see what this next contest year brings!

Rotary Club of Dawson County Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties
Midtown Atlanta Rotary Club Rotary Club of Dunwoody Classic City of Athens Rotary Club Rotary Club of Sandy Springs Lanier Forsyth Rotary Club Brookhaven Rotary Club

06/22/2026

One of the best parts of the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest is seeing students recognized by their local communities.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of the Classic City of Athens for celebrating these students and your commitment to character-building and reflective writing. We are proud to partner with Rotary clubs across Georgia to help students reflect on the values that shape their lives and futures.

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Smyrna, GA
30080

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14045908039

Website

http://georgialawsoflife.org/

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