Winner - High School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
by Vu, 11th grade
DeBakey High School For Health Professions, Texas

All dreams are inspired from an aspect of an individual's life. Project Wisdom has sparked many of my personal dreams. Besides being the motivational reminder of my dreams, Project Wisdom has also planted seeds of hope within me, giving me the power to believe.

Project Wisdom inspires hope through the memorable stories it tells. For me, one of the most unforgettable stories was about a small indigent family that feels rich because of the love they have for one another. Undoubtedly, money is a vital necessity. It is also true that money can buy me expensive clothes, allow me to dine in an elegant restaurant or take a trip around the world. But can true love be bought? I can have all the money my heart desires but will money "create" a loved one with whom I can enjoy delicious food at the first class restaurant? Will that money "create" a lifelong companion with whom I can share the beautiful views of the world?

My family has been through thick and thin and the main element that helped us to survive is our love. Our love has turned our small house into a grand castle. Our love has enriched our lives in innumerable ways that money can never do. Our love has united us as a family, and a family we shall forever be. Project Wisdom's famous quote definitely made an everlasting impression in my mind when I first heard it. "Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours," definitely epitomizes the purpose of Project Wisdom. Before hearing this phrase, I was a little fish that drifted wherever the river took me. Now, I am the master of my own fate. Because of Project Wisdom, I have come to realize that my life is what I make of it. Life passes me by whether I am happy or sad, so why not make the best of it while I can? When I die, I do not want to be remembered as the man who lived his life in pain. I want to be remembered with a smile for I have chosen to live my life in a positive way.

How has Project Wisdom influenced my life? It has molded me into a better person who understands that true happiness comes from within. Project Wisdom has instilled beliefs in me that I will forever treasure.

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Honorable Mention - High School Division
"Words Of Wisdom: A Dialogue"
by Jennifer, 12th grade
Benton Community School, Iowa

"Hey mom, I'm done with my homework. I'm going to head up to bed now."

"Wait a second, you never told me how your day was at school."

"It was okay, we had to start off the day with a few words of wisdom."

"Words of wisdom?"

"Yeah, it's just something that our principal announces over the intercom system that is supposed to help us with our day."

"What kind of stuff does he announce?"

"Stuff about goal setting or how important it is to have friends. This morning he was talking about positive attitudes and how they effect everyone. For some reason I actually listened to every word he had to say."

"What made today so different that you listened?"

"Well, my morning started out really bad. I got up late this morning, so I missed my bus and I missed a test that I was supposed to retake. To make matters worse, I also had a detention to serve and I didn't do that either. By the time I got to school everyone was giving me a hard time, I almost felt like walking right out the door and right back into bed. I was walking down the hallway when I heard him talking."

"You were late this morning? This is the third time this week! Don't even ask me to excuse you again. This time you have to serve your time until the warden lets you go."

"Thanks mom, you make it sound so much better. You make me sound like a prison convict. Anyway, I was walking down the hallway when the principal's voice came over the intercom. He sounded so confident and I thought to myself that at least he is having a good day. I can remember him saying something about choices?"

"What kind of choices?"

"Positive choices. Choices that help our day go a little better. We all have the choice to have a good day or turn a bad day into a good one. I just stood in the hallway thinking about that. I started feeling better because I knew I made the right choice by staying in school instead of walking out because I had a bad day."

"Words can be pretty powerful if someone says them right. Whenever you hear those words just think before you criticize what he is talking about."

"I'll do that mom, goodnight."

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Winner - Middle School Division
"The Courage To Fail"
by Laura, 8th grade
McBroom Junior High School, Ohio

During the past two years, I've read several Project Wisdom messages for the morning announcements at my junior high, but one, in particular, really made me stop and think. It had to do with courage. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm not a particularly courageous person when it comes to trying new things because I fear failure. For example, I literally panicked over being selected for the Power of the Pen writing team my seventh grade year. Sure, I enjoyed writing, but the idea of doing so on an impromptu topic, while the clock was ticking, terrified me. What if the judge rated my work as last? Quite honestly, attending practices were grueling for me. Yes, I would panic; and yes, I was always "last".

How coincidental that I should read the Project Wisdom message entitled "Courage" as tryouts for the eighth grade Power of Pen team were announced. Yes, if Harriet Tubman could lead more than 300 African-Americans out of slavery, I could certainly risk failure again in hopes of conquering the bigger issue, my fear. Beyond the competition itself, who knows where this newly found courage will lead me.

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Honorable Mention - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
by Hutton, 8th grade
Sulphur Springs Middle School, Texas

In today's world, teenagers are bombarded by bad influences. Project Wisdom has instead been a positive influence for me. It has helped me to especially focus on setting goals and making good choices.

This year, I have set a goal to make the Honor Roll each six weeks. Project Wisdom has encouraged me to do my best in my schoolwork. Another goal of mine is to be a good example and a leader for my friends. As a Student Council Member, I have been given the opportunity and responsibility to be a recognized leader in my school. The quotes from Project Wisdom have helped me to keep focused on my goal.

This year I have also been reminded about how important right choices are. At times, I have had to decide whether to study or whether to watch television or to go outside and play. While I could have enjoyed TV and playing ball more at the moment, I have learned that first I need to choose my schoolwork. In the long run, I know this choice will be beneficial.

Project Wisdom has been a bright spot in my day and a positive influence on my life.

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Honorable Mention - Middle School Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
by Samantha, 6th grade
Plaza Middle School, Virginia

Project Wisdom has helped me become a successful student at Plaza Middle School. Last year in elementary school my grades were very poor with a 2.5 grade point average. This year thanks to Project Wisdom, I was one of the two students in sixth grade who made the principal's list with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Each morning during homebase, one of our teachers announces the daily words of wisdom. It helps me to start my day on the right track. One piece of advice that I feel has helped me to become successful is to listen when the teacher says something and to focus on my work. Project Wisdom has taught me to be honest and not cheat. I've learned that if I cheat, I am the only one who suffers in the end. I now take time out each night to study for all my tests because the gratification I receive from my good grades makes me proud of myself.

Thanks to Project Wisdom I feel good about myself and so does my family. I hope that Project Wisdom continues next year so that other students will benefit from it as I have.

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Winner - Elementary Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
by Max, 4th grade
Oquenock Elementary School, New York

One of the main ideas that [our principal] Mrs. D'Amour talks about in Project Wisdom is the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule makes me act differently. It makes me more aware of the consequences of my actions. Knowing that I should treat people the way I want to be treated makes me act differently. This is very true.

If someone is mean to me, my feelings get hurt and I am unhappy. I do not like feeling that way. I should try to see things from the way I would feel, before I act in a negative way towards someone.

When someone is nice and considerate to you, you feel good. Since that is the way I would want to feel, that is the way I should make other people feel.

Treating people the way you would want to be treated makes you think twice before you call them names and hurt their feelings. If everyone did that the world would be a happier, better place.

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Honorable Mention - Elementary Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
by Ian, 4th grade
Lincoln Park Elementary School, Indiana

Each morning I awake and dress for school,
I brush my teeth till they shine like a jewel.
I gather my homework and grab my lunch,
And run for the bus cause I'm in a crunch.
I sleep on the bus or talk to a friend,
And then the bus ride comes to an end.
I get my stuff and calmly walk in,
And quietly sit in the Lincoln Park gym.
THE BELL! I head to Mrs. Burton's class fast,
A drink, my locker, my desk at last.
The voice of wisdom comes over the speaker,
It challenges us to become a seeker.
Of goodness and kindness and wisdom around,
And patience which I have personally found.
I strive daily to do my best,
Homework, sports, play and rest.
I try to remember the Golden Rule,
And set a good example for my school.

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Honorable Mention - Elementary Division
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
by Tyler, 4th grade
Lincoln Park Elementary School, Indiana

Project Wisdom makes me feel good. It helps me to think better, act better, and I can even make better grades. It helps me to do what is right. I can reach my hardest goals. The daily message makes me feel better when I am having a bad day. The daily message has made me a better person. It has helped me be a better person. It has helped me in the toughest times of my life.

One of the best messages is "If you think you can, you can!" Project Wisdom is a really good program. I think every school should listen to a morning message each day!

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Honorable Mention - Special Category
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
by Colin, 2nd grade
Manor Woods Elementary School, Maryland

Project Wisdom has made me think carefully about judging people. It's not important whether someone's skin color is black or white, or if they wear glasses or have braces. It doesn't matter what kind of clothes they wear or what kind of car their parents drive or how beautiful they look. What you need to judge is the way people talk to you or treat you, or how polite they are to you.

An example of not judging someone is saying,"You can be my friend, I don't care if you wear glasses or if your skin is different than mine." If you start judging people by the way they look, you will soon have no friends. You will find that there are very few people that will like you and want to play with you. If you keep judging people the way they look, no one will like you because their feelings will have been hurt and they will not want to play with you. So take my advise. Don't judge people by how they look, then you will have someone to hang around with.

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Honorable Mention - Special Category
"How Project Wisdom Has Made A Difference In My Life"
by Anna, 2nd grade
Manor Woods Elementary School, Maryland

My hands can help others in many ways. I could visit people in the hospital or water plants for somebody. I could give some plants to someone. I could hug or pat someone. I could shake someone's hand. Help others or not, the choice is yours.

When Mr.Wiesner, our principal, said, "Make it a great day or not," I thought about it. Then, later, we were in P.E. class. I already had a partner, but there was a girl who didn't, so I went up to her and asked if she would like to be in our group. She said yes, so the three of us were in a group. Even though it was hard to be partners with three, we worked it out, and had a lot of fun. And so, with a few words of wisdom, I helped someone. It reminded me of an old saying that goes "what goes around comes around" because if you want people to be nice to you, you need to be nice to them.


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