Winner - High School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Dillon, 11th grade
Clarksville, TX

I am the most fortunate student at my school, because I have the privilege of announcing the "Words of Wisdom" over the intercom every morning. Several selections have definitely made a difference in my perspective of life.

For example, this morning's reading included the old German proverb: "Love can turn a cottage into a golden palace." It referred to a family who lived in a small, one bedroom house. They loved each other very much. Regardless of their lack of material possessions, the family felt fortunate and even rich, because their crowded home was packed with love.

I live in a very economically disadvantaged town. Over half of our students receive free or reduced lunches. However, the closeness of our community has far more benefits than a large city with an average economy. Our small churches really care, and our neighbors are always ready to help. If a medical emergency occurs, every business has a collection jar by the door. If a home burns, everyone pitches in to help. The "Words of Wisdom" truly demonstrate what I have the opportunity to experience and help me to be more aware and appreciative of my community.

Through the "Words of Wisdom," I feel I have been given a wealth of knowledge about life and the solutions to many of its problems. We need to stop and think about how blessed we are when we have love in our home and community.

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Winner - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Alena , 8th grade
Yorba Linda, CA

Every morning I start my day with inspirational Words of Wisdom that influence me in many ways. Each new set of words seems to make a difference in my day. The Words of Wisdom that really mean a lot to me are the ones about education. "Don't allow circumstances to hold you back - even negative ones. You don't have to let your circumstances define you. You can define yourself, and the best way to define yourself is through education." This set of words help me to become a better person because it means that I should not let myself be defined. These words mean I should become more self-reliant by getting a great education. This encourages me to try my best every day. When I grow up and work , I can rely on myself to do with my life and set my own future if everybody listens intently to these words, then everyone could have a great outlook on the day and make our school a better place.

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Winner - Intermediate School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Julie, 5th grade
Westborough, MA

"So remember," Mr. Slomski said, "Put yourself in someone else's shoes before treating them a certain way." The intercom shut off, then we left for math. When we got back, it was time for gym. The mile.

I was unhappy, but didn't make a fuss, because I wouldn't want kids bugging me. On my fourth lap, I saw a girl behind the rest. In fact, she was last. At first, I paid no mind to this, and was just bent on getting a better time than others. Then, something clicked in my head. I heard Mr. Slomski's voice as though it had been taped in my head, "Put yourself in someone else's shoes." I slowed down until she caught up. The finish line came up, I thought to myself, there will be another mile. So I went even slower and let her win.

I learned putting yourself in someone else's shoes can make you a better person.

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Winner - Elementary School Division
"Make it a Great Day or Not the Choice is Yours!"
By Evan, 2nd grade
Houma, LA

Everyday, my principal says, "Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours!" This helps me to make wiser choices. One day the assistant principal saw me picking up trash on the playground. She gave me a Golden Rule coupon. I have chosen to do my homework with a good attitude. When I am finished, my mom lets me play video games. She sometimes lets me play outside with my friends. My teacher says when you practice making good choices, you don't have to worry about making poor choices, because good character is inside of you.

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Honorable Mention - High School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Aryn , 12th grade
Blairsville, PA

Imagine a high school junior wandering through a school where she is afraid to attend. She has had a hard time: bullies, teasing and the far-from-understanding teacher. First day back and she's expecting another year of teasing, praying for the ability to make it through. Then, unexpectedly a speaker comes on the PA system. After a few announcements, Mrs. Brown, the school secretary says that we have a new program this school year. It's called Project Wisdom, and it's designed to help this school become a friendlier place. The quote was from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It was about courage, and the quote cited gave this scared student, me, the courage to make it thorough the day and all the days that followed.

The Words of Wisdom have since helped me to become very community conscious. My club and I are the forerunners of Project Wisdom at my school, and through Project Wisdom, we have become inspired to raise money throughout our community to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Project Wisdom has helped me feel more comfortable in my own school. I feel safer, because of the positive ways Project Wisdom has caused me and the people of my school to become kinder and more involved with each other. As Mr. Emerson said, "The music that can deepest reach and cure all ills is cordial speech." With the help of Project Wisdom, our students become more cordial towards each other. Thank you!

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Honorable Mention - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Bianca, 8th grade
Cornwall on Hudson, NY

Each morning, everybody in our school gathers to listen to the "Words of Wisdom." "The Words of Wisdom" are powerful and inspirational and is a perfect way for us all to be together as a whole and improve our day in just a few minutes filled with knowledge.

The "Words of Wisdom" were introduced to our school last year in 2004, yet from the beginning, we have been supplied anecdotes of inspiring people's lives and ways to improve our own lives. It helps me to see clearly throughout the day and make better choices involving myself, friends and everyone around me.

After listening each morning, it also has taught me to never give up. Perseverance is very important, because no matter how many times you stumble and fall, you should always get back up and continue on to make you dreams come true. This especially showed in one of the "Words of Wisdom" about Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln grew up poor and lost numerous elections that he was involved in, however, he persevered and eventually became one of our country's most popular presidents. Once I heard this story, I realized that I too should never give up, despite hard times and difficult situations.

With the "Words of Wisdom" continuing to inspire me each and every day, I hope that what I take from these meaningful words will be reflected in what I do and help other people learn how to be a better person. We all have the power to make a change and decide the course of our own lives, and I have learned that thanks to the "Words of Wisdom." Like it says, "Make it a great day or not. The choice is yours."

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Honorable Mention - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Antonio , 7th grade
Yorba Linda, CA

"Without action, a dream stays but a dream," is a small piece of knowledge shared with me through the Project Wisdom organization. In my opinion, Project Wisdom inspires students to do their best to accomplish their dreams, and this program has made a difference in several aspects of my life.

The following quote impacts me daily: "An error doesn't become a mistake until you cease to correct it, and "no one is perfect; we all make errors." So when I walk out of math class after a test has been graded and I've fallen short of my goals, I am disheartened and disappointed. But I realize that simply through trying, I have accomplished all that I could, and that if I turn my weaknesses into my strengths, I'll be striving to improve.

Project Wisdom also taught me that "there's always tomorrow, and you can make up for what you did wrong the day before." Thanks to Project Wisdom, there's not only a tomorrow, but a better tomorrow. The Project Wisdom organization's goal is to help students achieve their dreams. Frankly, it is through their goal of helping all of us that they have achieved their own goal.

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Honorable Mention - Intermediate School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
Maggie , 5th grade
Colleyville, TX

This year, I got the chance to be an anchor on our morning announcements. The job entailed reading the "Words of Wisdom" which gave me a chance to really absorb what the "Words of Wisdom" had to teach me. The quotes and proverbs in Project Wisdom's daily lessons help teach many things, but the editions that have taught me the most were the ones about self-esteem, happiness, and responsibility.

It means a lot to me to know that every morning there will be something there to guide me, to give me something to work toward, and to remember that day and the rest of my life. After all, my life is all about me and everything but me all at the same time. With a life so complicated, it's important to have something to count on, something to help you make the right decisions, something just like "Project Wisdom."

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Honorable Mention - Elementary School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Courtney, 3rd grade
Fort Washington, PA

The "Words of Wisdom" have helped make our school a better place! By listening to the morning announcements, I have learned many things. The most important thing I learned on the school announcements is "no bullying."

Bullying is when someone picks on another kid for no reason! It can really make a kid feel bad when they are bullied. No one wants to be picked on!

I think the "Words of Wisdom" are the best way to break bullying apart. So, if all the kids in [my school] listen well to the morning announcements and try to follow the "Words of Wisdom," then our school will be a better place!

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