Winner - High School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
by Kristen, 9th grade
Wasatch Junior High, Utah

One definition of to motivate is "to provide a person with a reason to act". I appreciate this because, as the student body public relations officer for my school, I set a goal to motivate our students to care about each other and to convince them to act on those feelings to make our school a great place. When I met with our counselors, I half expected them to laugh at my ambition. However, they not only agreed with me, they also had a great suggestion to do exactly that. Project Wisdom.

From the beginning, I knew that the tag line, "Make it a great day … or not, the choice is yours" would be the benchmark: if students started using the phrase, I would have succeeded in getting them to listen to the messages. So I started the year by having celebrities read the messages to lend credibility. Next I added in faculty, class officers and then, random students. It's been a great mix and it's become an important part of our school day.

Recently, as I was recording a segment outside, a window opened and someone yelled out the tag line. As his classmates laughed, I laughed too: they were listening! The tag line's now part of our school language: the school play promoted auditions with, "Make it a great play … or not ... ," for Sub for Santa, we heard, "Make them a great day …" and everyone's part of the insider group that "gets it".

The messages work well because they're simple truths that we already know - but Project Wisdom has formulated those thoughts into words, and those words translate into feelings and actions that I now see incorporated into the everyday lives of our students. We're learning to be a community caring about each other and about others.

In fact, for the first time, our students have worked together on a massive service project gathering enough mittens, socks, and books for all 350 students at a school in a very poor area. The sewing classes made the Christmas stockings, art classes did posters, and the drama department put on a benefit play. Service clubs are collecting items for the stockings and tomorrow we'll deliver the gifts.

As I ponder the question, "How has Project Wisdom made a Difference In My life?" I find that the answer is simple: last year I just went to school. But this year I go to a school that has become a caring community, concerned for each other and willing to reach out to help others less fortunate than themselves. I attribute that change to a shift in attitudes as we've educated students to focus on the positive outlook on life, which is presented in the Project Wisdom essay collection. It has indeed "provided them with a reason to act" in a way which has made my life, the lives of our other Wasatch students, and those of the people in our community, a much better place for us all.

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Honorable Mention - High School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
By D'Vesharronne, 11th grade
DeBakey High School for Health Professionals, Texas

Encouraging words can impact an individual enormously. It is from the innumerable encouraging words, quotations, and stories that Project Wisdom has made a Difference In My life.

In today's world, being a high school student is challenging and at times can leave students in a state of dismay. Dismay that can be transformed into alacrity through the aid of Project Wisdom. The few "words of wisdom" each day can alter a day that seems like your worst into a day that becomes your best. Project Wisdom has been in my life for a while, in middle school I was privileged with the opportunity to be able to read these encouraging words to my peers over the public announcement system. One quotation that has inspired me and will continue to inspire me is by Anne Frank, and is on the subject of self-responsibility it states, "Parents can only give good advice or put their children on the right path, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." This quote has helped me to realize that my life is only what I make of it. Regardless of the advice given to me by others or the wisdom shared with me by others, as William Ernest Henely stated in Invictus, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." From Project Wisdom I have learned that negative things will occur in life, however, it is up to me to not allow these things to prevent positive things from occurring as well. In life many times there will be various things that I will not perform well on, but if I permit my downfalls to encumber me, I will never receive the opportunity to compensate for them. Happiness should be something that I possess always, I should not tolerate simple mistakes or pitiful performances to purloin my contentment. Despondency does not ameliorate matters when things are bad, so why should I waste my time feeling sad?

Project Wisdom has made a substantial Difference In My life. It has instilled in me the motivation and the knowledge to know that I can be whatever I want to be. So everyday as I ardently take heed of that day's "word of wisdom" I keep in mind the well remembered phrase "Make it a great day or not …" and I always remember that the choice is mine.

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Winner - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
By Kate, 8th grade
Memorial School, New Jersey

I'm nearly an adult, but believe me; being 13 is not easy! The choices that I make about smoking, drugs, sex, studying, and friendships will help define my character later in life. Although my parents, teachers, and coaches have all helped to build my foundation, it is now up to me to make the actual decisions.

Luckily, the messages from Project Wisdom reinforce good character development and values. Daily reminders give me the wisdom to know the right path and the courage to choose it; to stay determined versus taking the easy way out, to make the kind and caring choices - not just the popular ones.

From Ghandi to Martin Luther King, Project Wisdom brings us the knowledge and experience of many highly regarded leaders. These messages express the lessons of peace and tolerance that took them a lifetime to learn. Self-esteem, honesty, and charity are also Project Wisdom messages that influence me day by day.

I'm only 13 now, but when I'm older and I look back on the things I've done, I will see that I made good decisions and I will know that Project Wisdom made these decisions clearer to see and easier to make.

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Honorable Mention - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
By Kaitlin, 6th grade
Burnet Middle School, New Jersey

Project Wisdom has made a big Difference In My life. The quotes that are read every morning give my classmates and I the encouragement that we need to grow up and follow our dreams. I now realize no matter what your background is, you can still do anything you want with your life as long as you give it your all. Project Wisdom helps me start the day off right and actually think before I make decisions.

It has helped me to gain enough confidence to run for the representative of my homeroom. Ever since I was in the fourth grade, my goal in life has been to become the first woman president of the United States. Maybe, just maybe, with the help of Project Wisdom, my dream will become a reality. I am a better person because of Project Wisdom, so I am successful in school, people respect me, and I won for homeroom representative. If you believe in yourself, you can overcome any challenge, whether it's fear of taking a test, applying for a job, or having the courage to think for yourself and resist peer pressure. So the question is, do you believe in yourself?

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Honorable Mention - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
By Megan, 8th grade
Northwest Cabarrus Middle School, North Carolina

Project Wisdom has inspired me and uplifted my daily choices. It has helped me develop well-rounded character and set goals for myself. William Jennings Bryan says, "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice." I have pondered this statement many times in the duration of school hours. I have discovered that even choosing my friends has an impact on my destiny.

Project Wisdom has taught me to enjoy and respect the importance of cultures and beliefs of others; the passages help me realize how special everyone is. This program has exposed me to a variety of cultures, showing how each one brings something unique into the world.

Consequently, Project Wisdom has made me realize the importance of not being judgmental. It provides me information on meaningful ways to handle peer pressure, make ethical decisions, and stop believing the negativity of others. I focus on the person, not on what they possess, believe in, or are handicapped by.

Project Wisdom has made a Difference In My life by building my character so that I may respect the ways of others and stand up for my rights. The words have influenced and transformed me into a better person.

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Winner - Intermediate School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
By Monica, 5th grade
Willowick Middle School, Ohio

Project Wisdom is all about having respect for others. I think Project Wisdom really helps us start the day on the right foot. Project Wisdom is very helpful to me, others, and our school. Every morning when Mr. Burton reads Project Wisdom, it really helps the students behave. Having the students behave very nicely and having the students be more courteous and honest helps our school be strong, structural, and a better place. I think Project Wisdom not only helps the students, but also the teachers have a great day.

Project Wisdom also helps you with making choices that you are faced with. Project Wisdom can help you solve problems, and make the right choices. One day someone I knew was faced with a problem, should she steal something with her friends and be considered cool, or take a chance of being called a chicken, and a loser if she didn't? I am happy to say that she had used what her principal said in his Project Wisdom reading to help her with her problem, and again I am happy to say she made the right decision not to steal.

I also think Project Wisdom builds good leadership skills because making the right decision and having respect for others is what makes a great leader. That is what Project Wisdom means to me and what I think Project Wisdom is about.

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Honorable Mention - Intermediate School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
By Sarah, 4th grade
Morris Street School, Connecticut

Hi, my name is Sarah Hunt! I feel very good when I hear the words of wisdom in the morning, because they give me the chance to make it a good day or not. When I hear words of wisdom I have a big smile on my face, when I have a smile on my face I feel happy, and when I feel happy I try to make my friends, teachers, and family happy! Then I try to make it a better day. Words of wisdom helps us be more kind, fair, caring, helpful, and nice. I like to hear words of wisdom because I'm learning something someone said everyday. My favorite thing about words of wisdom is the golden rule because I've realized it's true. When I treat my friends nice they treat me nice too. I also like words of wisdom because we learn respect. R is for respect, E is for encourage, S is for share, P is for promote, C is for contribute, and T is for teach.

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Honorable Mention - Intermediate School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
By Jessica, 4th grade
Lincoln Park School, Indiana

Project Wisdom helps me do my Good, Better, Best,
To help me think and to know when to rest.
It does not make me a big mess,
Or give me any stress.
Project Wisdom helps me to be nice,
And gives me very good advice.
It helps me to do my work each day,
And makes me feel like I know the way.
The daily message gives me the courage to do even harder,
As I sit and do my work without even a bother.

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Winner - Elementary School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
By Daniel, 2nd grade
Millis Road Elementary School, North Carolina

Project Wisdom has incredibly changed my life! It's like a train going into my head saying be kind, responsible, and respectful. When I'm being kind I'm basically helping out and being respectful. It makes me think deeper before I say something rude. It makes me want to share.

Boy, oh boy, I love Project Wisdom.

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Honorable Mention - Elementary School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
By Carley, 3rd grade
Lawton Elementary School, Michigan

The words of wisdom really make a Difference In My life. It tells me the truth about everyday things. For example, "Don't judge a book by its cover." It means don't judge things by the outside. A person's clothes may be ripped and dirty, but they might be the nicest person you've ever met.

It makes a Difference In My life for another reason. I had a problem that I didn't know how to solve very well until I heard the words of wisdom. Now that I have heard them I can solve a problem a lot better.

I like how each word of wisdom has a moral. I like how there is a golden rule to treat others as you want to be treated. The words of wisdom really make a Difference In My life. I can help people understand because I have heard the words of wisdom.

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