By Gabriella By Kelly Ann

Winner - High School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Allison, 11th grade
Dickinson, ND

Every morning at school I listen to one of my classmates read the daily Words of Wisdom over the PA system. This morning routine means more to me than a few minutes spent listening to "wise words." I think of these words as a positive start to my school day-motivational, inspirational, or sometimes just little pieces of advice.

I know that most kids don't usually jump out of bed, ready to begin a full day of school. The Words of Wisdom help prepare students for the school day by providing them with a quote and an interpretation that they can then apply to other aspects of their life. For example, I remember a past Words of Wisdom broadcast regarding individual uniqueness. As I listened to a senior explain how humans are all unique, my mind strayed off, and I began to imagine a world where we were all the same. I pictured instances when my individuality got lost in a crowd of monotony and my special qualities disappeared. Eventually, I realized that my thoughts were echoing the voice over the PA system.

I appreciate the fact that I can regularly reflect on my life, even if it is only for a few minutes each day. Project Wisdom has made a positive impression on my life as a dependable source of daily inspiration, and these Words of Wisdom make a difference in students' lives and even in the community when students share their new wisdom with others.

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Winner - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Jeffrey, 8th grade
Mustang, OK

Of the many "words of wisdom" I hear every day over the morning announcements, one in particular stands out. I am able to say that it's changed my outlook on life. One day I heard one of our principals going into the "make it a great day or not, the choice is yours" pitch, so I leaned back in my chair and yawned. However I was suddenly jerked to attention when he began speaking about how two sculptors were asked the same question: "What are you doing?" The first replies: "I'm cutting these boulders into blocks," whereas the second replied: "I'm building a great cathedral."

It dawned on me that the men had the same job, but were doing it in opposite ways. The second had a more positive outlook on his job and probably every element in his life. From that day on I started trying to think about minuscule things in the same fashion, more positively, grander, etc. I think this approach to life is better and if everyone thought this way we would all be more successful.

These "words of wisdom" stand out, and I'm glad to say that it has changed my view of things. Now I look at every element in my life as a block, and my life in whole as a cathedral.

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Winner - Intermediate School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Sage, 5th grade
Towaco, NJ

"With a few words of wisdom, make it a great day or not…the choice is yours." These words float around in my head like a bundle of balloons. Always there telling me to make good choices for myself.

Project Wisdom taught me how to be a leader, to be comfortable being my own person. Last year there was a bully in my class. One day she started teasing another girl about how she looked. She asked me to comment also. I said no because I wouldn't want to make anyone feel bad. Project Wisdom taught me not to follow others and to go on my own path to lead me to my future.

If Project Wisdom can help a girl like me it can help millions. I wish everyone could hear Project Wisdom daily. Maybe some of the world's conflicts would be resolved. Then we could have peace.

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Winner - Elementary School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Erin, 2nd grade
Pickerington, OH

The words of wisdom really inspired me to be a better person to my school and the world... I once stood up for my sister on the bus when people were making fun of her. I said, "Stop it! She is my sister!" and they stopped. When you said, "Make wise choices," I made better choices. Thank you Miss C. for words of wisdom!

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

I have always striven for perfection. I pushed myself to do and be the best at everything. Over time, this habit became a vice of mine. Gradually, it began to take its toll.

I was always excessively nervous when addressing a group. I put so much pressure on myself to give a "perfect" speech or "perfect" presentation that my body would feel like it were on fire, and it was a struggle just to breathe. I quit basketball, which I loved, because I wasn't the "perfect" player. Eventually, when playing volleyball, I would get so worried I might make a mistake that I began having panic attacks. Even when doing schoolwork, I would stay up all night, sobbing because a paper or project was never just right. It was never "perfect." What makes this even more absurd is that I was a very articulate speaker, a varsity starter in volleyball, and my class valedictorian. Yet, if I wasn't "perfect" I still wasn't good enough.

Then, one morning, I heard the voice of wisdom over the PA system. It spoke of successful people who had experienced many failures, including Babe Ruth, who held the home run record while also holding the strike out record. It explained that failure is a natural part of life that teaches us how to succeed. Without it, how would we ever know the joy of success? The words helped me realize that it is enough to do my best even if I fail, because it is this that will help me achieve success in the end.

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Honorable Mention - High School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Jenab, 12th grade
Loveland, OH

Every morning "Words of Wisdom" are spoken on my school's announcements. Each message concludes with the idea that every student holds the power of choice. We can choose to either tune out the announcements or take their important message to heart. By choosing the latter of the two, we can learn a vital lesson.

The "Words of Wisdom" that I specifically recall impacting me, were those on prejudice. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "We have flown the air…swum the sea…but we have yet to learn… [to walk] the earth like brothers." Looking around the classroom I was seated in, I noticed the substantial lack of diversity. The school's community forms such an opaque bubble that it can impair people's vision of the enormity of the world. Hearing words once spoken by Dr. King reminds students that there is more to life than Gap jeans and Skyline Chili. Whether it is simple stereotyping or flat-out discrimination, prejudice is everywhere. For those not exposed to different types of people, passing judgment can be easy. The quotes read over the announcements educate us on this injustice and remind us that humanity is a universal trait.

The choice to make the most of the "Words of Wisdom" is up to the individual. Wise words have proven to teach important lessons. Through the daily "Words of Wisdom," students like me have learned about humanity and the significance of choice every day at school.

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Honorable Mention - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Megan, 8th grade
Mustang, OK

"Before you can see a rainbow, it must rain"

I was sitting in class thinking about all that's going on. I was feeling sorry for myself. I had an argument with my parents the night before; I didn't know where I wanted to live, with my mom or dad.

I usually don't listen to announcements, but for some reason I listened. I'd heard this announcement countless times, never thinking it could apply. I sat there pondering, "It must rain to see the rainbow." I started thinking the troubles I have are just rain.

My best friend came up and said we couldn't be friends anymore because of her mom. I thought, on top of everything, how could I lose my best friend? This was no longer rain. It had become a downpour.

As I began feeling sorry for myself, that saying about rainbows found its way back into my mind. The only thing getting me through this is that I keep telling myself the rain will stop, the clouds will part, and my rainbow will shine. Now I think the "Words of Wisdom" aren't so dorky; they really do "Make it a great day or not. The choice is ours."

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Honorable Mention - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Jeremiah, 8th grade
Jacksonville, FL

People are influenced by many things in life. No two people can act the same because no two people have had identical experiences. Sometimes people are influenced because of the way their parents act. Other times people tell you something that you agree with and can apply to your life. It doesn't matter who said it, only the fact that it was said. That is the importance of the words of wisdom program.

Every morning, a wise saying comes on the announcements. The sayings that are announced can help you through your life. "You will not be respected unless you respect yourself." This saying restored my respect for myself at a time when my self-esteem was low.

Words of wisdom not only help you through hard times, but they can make you think about your attitude toward some aspect of life. Some can give you ideas to help motivate yourself to do better, to strive to do well, or simply to achieve in life.

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Honorable Mention - Intermediate School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
Rachel, 5th grade
Huntington, IN

The Words of Wisdom helped me and other students in many ways. It helped me become a better person. Here are two ways it helped me change my life.

One way is by changing my personality. I became a much better friend, student and daughter. My friends hang around me more, and we do projects together. We get together on weekends. I might start a book club.

I have improved my grades. Also, I have set goals every week and I achieve them all. I have started helping my mom with supper more, and I helped my brother with a small gingerbread house when he had no ideas.

Another way I have improved is by helping someone I know. They were teased and mistreated by their classmates. The Words of Wisdom encouraged me to try to be friends with them. So now, we talk to one another more.

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Honorable Mention - Intermediate School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
Devon, 5th grade
Thorndale, PA

Growing up is hard. You want to be liked and fit in, but every child is different. Some of us get along with each other, some of us don't. What do you do when a friend is being bullied? This happened to me. A friend of mine was being bullied because some thought her to be a bit weird. I tried not to get involved; it was not me being bullied. Why should I do something about it? Then one morning on the announcements they talked about bullying and how it makes someone feel - alone, like nobody cares. Is this how I made my friend feel? By not being there had I made her feel like she had no friends? I thought about the words of wisdom I had heard that morning and decided to be the friend that she was to me. Without our friends where would we be?

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Honorable Mention - Elementary School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Gabriella, Kindergarten
Petersburg, VA

The words of wisdom help me learn how to be a good friend. Good friends help each other when they get hurt and when they don't know how to do something. Good friends don't say bad words to each other or to other people. Mean words hurt and kind words make friends feel happy. Good friends always remind their friends not to go with strangers.

When I go to school, I always hear the words of wisdom that help me be a good friend.

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Honorable Mention - Elementary School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made a Difference in My Life"
By Kelly Ann, 3rd grade
Tonawanda, NY

The Words of Wisdom help me to believe in myself when I sometimes do something wrong. I rely on those words to help make me a better person. When I hear those words every morning, I feel better about myself, which helps me to have a great day or not. The choice is always mine. Wisdom means using your intelligence and experience wisely. As I go through my day at school, I can learn as much as I want and then I can help others. I can choose to follow the rules and guide others to do the same. Outside of school I can live those words and hope that my words and actions will be passed on to others in my community. Think of what a wonderful world we would have if everyone lived the words of wisdom.

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