The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Jacob Crisp, Second Place
Grade 5,  Ocean View Elementary School
Teacher: Mrs. Gordon

Jackie Robinson was the first black baseball player to play in the Major Leagues in 1947. Back then there were two leagues, a Negro League and a Professional league that did not allow African- Americans to play in it. His breaking of the color barrier ended sixty years of segregation in professional baseball. He should have been allowed to play in the league years earlier as should many other players from the Negro League because the TRUTH was that a lot of them were better players than the ones on teams in the professional leagues.

Jackie Robinson is honored and appreciated by many athletes today, it is because of his hardships that he endured and overcame that today’s players have the salaries and lifestyles that they have in pro sports. It was FAIR that he finally got to play in the pro league because his talent was better than other players that were already in the league. He played for ten years and made the All-Star team six times.

He was looked up to by many African-Americans. When he broke into the Major Leagues the fan support by African-Americans was huge. In his first game, 14,000 of the 26,000 fans were African-American. Many of the white players were against him playing and they treated him unfairly. Segregation was alive and well in the U.S. at this time, Martin Luther King did not deliver his “I have a dream” speech until 1963. He was fighting for equality for African-Americans. His sacrifices helped bring about the Civil Rights Act of 1968. He helped to BUILD GOOD WILL by helping to bring down segregation.

Jackie Robinson was BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED. Martin Luther King said,” He was a legend and symbol in his own time.” Without his sacrifices and others like Rosa Park and Martin Luther King America would not be what it is today. We have equality for all races in America. Jackie Robinson said it best when he said,” I’m not concerned with you liking or disliking me.. .all I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”

The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Lisa Miller, Third Place
Grade 5,  Ocean View Elementary School
Teacher: Mr. Copley

For many years, my family and I have supported our troops by sending care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. These care packages support the ideas of the 4-Way Test.

There are many opinions about whether it is right or wrong that people get sent to fight for our country. However, it is the truth that our soldiers need our support and they appreciate everything we send to them, so, every once in a while, we put together boxes full of toiletries or food. For example, the soldiers like to receive sunflower seeds, Otter Pops, Cracker Jack and jerky. Other things they like to get are shampoo, conditioner, razors and deodorant. Something you might not expect that they like getting are the extra Beanie Babies that people have. The soldiers like to get them because they give them to the children around them who are going through hard times too.

It might be hard to decide how it would be fair to evenly disperse these packages. First, I go on the computer to a website called Any Soldier and find the name of a soldier who hasn’t gotten very many packages sent to his or her unit. After they get the package, they evenly divide it up between the members of their unit to make it fair. The receiver of the package knows if someone doesn’t get very much from home, so he or she might give them something extra to make them feel appreciated and closer to home.

When I send packages, I feel that I have done something to help others and bring me closer to them. For me, it builds goodwill because I am helping someone through hard times and telling them that people do care about what they are doing for our country. The soldier who receives the package also spreads goodwill to his or her roommates by sharing with them. The soldiers can also send goodwill by donating the Beanie Babies, gum and candy to the children of Afghanistan and Iraq. Sending care packages also builds good friendships between the soldiers and me. Soldiers send thank you notes back to my brother and me because they appreciate us sending the things they need.

This project is beneficial to all concerned. It benefits the soldiers because they receive a gift from someone who cares about them. All the generous things I put in the package aren’t the things they like to get the most. The most important thing for the soldiers is when I write a letter telling who I am, what I like to do, and how much I appreciate them. The letters help them remember those at home who love and care about them. Doing this benefits me because I learn how hard the soldiers are fighting for me and my country. It reminds me that they don’t have everything that I have and that they are giving up their lives and sacrificing for me and other Americans.

These care packages make a big difference and take a small amount of time to do. They help me practice all the parts in the 4-Way test and make a big difference in my life and the soldiers’ lives too.

The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Talia Conn, First Place
Grade 2,  Ocean View Elementary School
Teacher: Ms. Janich

Wherever I go to the library, it reminds me of when black people were not allowed to check out books and books remind me of the book called “Ron’s Mission.”  In “Ron’s Mission,” Ron wanted to check out a book but he wasn’t allowed because he was a black boy.  Ron loved reading so much, he even skipped a free doughnut and a basketball game on the way to the library.

Ron finally got to the library.  He always tried to find books about people who looked like him but that was hard.  Finally he found a book about planes which was perfect because Ron wanted to be a pilot when he grows up.

As he was going to the front desk, a white lady stopped him and said, “I can check that out for you.”  But Ron said, “No, I can do it.”  “But Ron,” said the lady, but Ron was already at the front desk while she was still speaking.  “I want to check out these books, please” Ron said.  But the librarian ignored him.  Ron knew what had to be done. He jumped on the desk and everyone stared at him.  The librarian called the police but he wouldn’t budge, then she called his mom.  Ron wouldn’t budge.  Ron was the librarian’s best customer and she knew what had to be done.  She went straight to her office and made Ron a library card.  Then Ron handed the card to the librarian and said, “Can I check this out, please?” And it worked.

Ron’s story is a good example of the 4-way test because sometimes you have to stick up for yourself and other people when rules aren’t fair.  If Ron had let the white lady check out the book for him, then he would not have gotten to have his own library card.  By being truthful and sticking up for himself, Ron was making it easier for other black people to check out books.  Ron built goodwill by using his words and not throwing a big tantrum.  Ron spoke up for the black people because they weren’t being treated fairly.  Ron helped the librarian make a better choice.   It doesn’t matter how you look or your skin color, what matters is how you treat other people.

When Ron grew up he became an astronaut just like he dreamed.   I think he became an astronaut because he read lots of books about planes and worked hard.

The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Torsten Johnson, Second Place
Grade 1,  Branch School
Teacher: Mrs. Metcalf

Ludwig van Beethoven is my favorite composer. I enjoy playing music. I play the piano.

Beethoven wrote my favorite piano piece, called Fur Elise. It means for Elise. Who was Elise? Nobody knows for sure. Beethoven wrote this piece because he really liked Elise.

Beethoven said to one of his music students “what is in my heart must come out and so I write it down.” It means that he writes his feelings in his music. People think music is special and they are telling the truth when they write music for someone.

Beethoven became deaf and was afraid nobody would ask him to write music again. Beethoven did not tell the truth about his hearing. He only told the truth to his brothers in a letter they would read after he died. Most people could tell he was deaf so maybe that was fair. He had a hard time conducting his music because he couldn’t hear what the orchestra was playing. It was not fair that Beethoven lost his hearing but it was fair that he could still write great music.

Beethoven wrote a very famous piece called Ode to Joy. Ode to Joy is about peace, brotherhood, joy, hope, and friendship. People feel happy when they hear it. I like this piece because it has a lot of expression. It is beneficial because everybody likes it. When people hear Ode to Joy together it can help build goodwill and better friendships because it sounds very happy.

Beethoven wasn’t always very kind to others. Maybe he wanted to spend more time writing music and less time talking to other people. It was hard for Beethoven to make friends. Beethoven did have some other composers that were his friends. He didn’t follow the four-way test because he did not try to build better friendships himself. His music made other people build goodwill and better friendships but he sometimes had a problem not being kind to other people.

I think it’s important to follow the four-way test because it could help me make good choices everywhere.

The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Joanne Crandall, First Place
Grade 11,   Arroyo Grande High School
Teacher: Mrs. Dixon

Throughout much of human history and in many religious belief systems, we humans have been taught to “treat others the way you would want to be treated.”  All too often, we apply this lesson solely on a personal level—very rarely is such a positive and beneficial mentality applied in dealing with large groupings of people, such as those of different religions, ethnicities, genders, nationalities, etc.  In my own life, I have found this all too obvious as I watch the progression (or lack thereof) of the Arab-Israeli peace talks.  From a young age, I have been greatly interested in international relations—particularly, as I have gotten older, the Middle East.  I cannot recall a time in my life when the Middle East was not facing some sort of turmoil.  This conflict became an immediate and personal part of my life when I attended a summer program in Maine with other teens from the United States, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, and Palestine.  In my experiences there, I learned that even though it is difficult to apply the 4-Way Test’s messages of truth, fairness, and friendship on a nation-to-nation basis, when we interact on a human-to-human level its messages prove incredibly fruitful and rewarding.

At the outset of the camp, the Arab and Israeli teens greatly mistrusted and feared one another.  Living together in bunks and dining together in the main hall, their relations were civil, at best, and incredibly tense.  Indeed, the only preconceptions they had of each other were the stereotypes that had been inculcated in them from a young age.  Such fear and stereotypes made it difficult to build “good will and better friendships.”  But soon, our human commonalities, particularly our teenage similarities, began to spark some discussion and tentative friendship.  Palestinians and Israelis discovered mutual loves of sports, dance, swim, fashion, music, and so many other common teenage interests.  These commonalities formed the initial basis for burgeoning friendships. The other primary motivator for friendship was competition; we were constantly grouped into teams that sparked friendly rivalries, nationality was irrelevant.  Surrounded by the best and brightest from several nations, competition was stiff in everything from soccer to cooking to memorization contests.  Our competitions showed that there is nothing like a common “enemy” to unite a group and create a spirit of camaraderie.   Thus, I learned that even when the goal is not directly to “build good will and better friendships,” both competition and common interests can certainly further that end.

Thereafter, as the Arabs and Israelis began to talk with one another on a more substantive level, they already had the foundations for friendship.  Such cross-conflict discussion helped dispel irrational fears of “the other side” and debunk long-held stereotypes.  Our discussion, therefore, followed the 4-Way Test model unintentionally, as it built goodwill and close friendship—certainly beneficial for all of the campers concerned.  And, quite frequently, when they returned home, campers further disseminated their newfound tolerance and knowledge amongst friends and family, sewing seeds of peace.  Indeed, while not every camper returned with equal confidence in their new friendships, each camper certainly returned home with at least slightly more good will and hope for the future.  This good will, in turn, sparked further spread of knowledge and destruction of stereotypes…that is until hostile diplomacy and politics proved overwhelming and disheartening.  Once they returned to their native countries, some campers became so frustrated with the setbacks they constantly experienced that they embraced their old fears and stereotypes about the other side—forgetting their newfound friends.

Therefore, the problem lies at the governmental level.  Although really the governments are made up of people—people who could make friends from the “other side” just as easily as my Palestinian and Israeli peers—it is often easier for them to get caught up in national issues and selfishness than to promote tolerance, truth, and good will.  Even though my friends learned lessons of understanding and friendship, I see their hope and good will hurt, or even shattered, by the bitterness of the political peace negotiations.

Thus, perhaps the leaders involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict would do well to learn some lessons from the teenagers of their own nations.  Perhaps instead of solely promoting their own interests, these governments should take time to consider if they are being true to themselves and their consciences, modeling themselves after the 4-Way Test question, “Is it the truth?”  For while neither side is going to agree about the truth of the supposed “facts,” they owe it to their people to be as honest and open as possible.  Perhaps instead of using whatever means possible to get ahead, these governments should consider if their actions will be fair and helpful to both sides—what if they were on the other side?  Or, as the 4-Way Test asks:  is it fair and will it be beneficial to all concerned?  Indeed, it does not take long to learn those lessons on a human level—even children know them—so the highly educated leaders of government would be well-advised to learn as well.  Perhaps instead of dramatizing and heightening stereotypes of “the other” side, these governments should do their best to promote the notion that we are all humans, with countless commonalities—taking into consideration the 4-Way model to “build good will and better friendships.”  If kids can bond over a mutual love of soccer, I would think that adults could also find something in common.  Once governments adopt the ideal of the 4-Way Test, the natural progression of the test on a human-to-human basis will help create more lasting peace.

While I realize these goals may seem overly idealistic or quixotic—for they are incredibly difficult for governments to realize on a practical, real-world basis—I will not give up my hopes for a more optimistic future.  With a little bit more service, a little bit less self, and the 4-Way Test, I hope that we can achieve a brighter future.  Having seen at camp “the way life could be,” I continue to strive for it every day…because in my opinion it is “the way life should be.”

The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Akash Salam, Second Place
Grade 11,   Arroyo Grande High School
Teacher: Mrs. Dixon

Eight years ago, I dreamt of living a life without having to worry about food or working tirelessly through the day. Today, I’m living that dream. But today, I have a bigger dream, a dream in which poverty cease to exist, a dream in which every child has an opportunity for proper education.

Raised in a one-room tin home in Karamja, Bangladesh, I learned the effects of poverty firsthand. Instead of playing games, I worked tirelessly with my parents. I spent my days herding cows, picking vegetables, or collecting hay. Instead of having plenty of nutritious foods, we lived off rice and spices. Instead of watching television, I used a small kerosene lamp to study at night.

Instead of groaning about school, I eagerly walked over an hour to the next village to attend class. Instead of dreaming about college, I only wished I could make it through elementary school.

The morning I left my village, my beloved grandfather pulled me aside. “Babba, study as hard as you can.” he said. “But never forget us. We will always be with you.” That day, my parents and I left our small village in Bangladesh for the United States. We left the most brutal poverty. We left our family. We left our homeland.

Eight years later, I feel a sense of burden upon my shoulders. I go to school. I do my homework. I help my parents. But the truth haunts me, like a shadow. The truth tarnishes my achievements and brings terror at night. “Why me?” I ask myself. Why was I so lucky to leave when all of my classmates, all of those poor villagers still live those wretched lives? Why do I get to live a life of luxury here in the United States, while my friends and family suffer through the worst of poverty?

The more I think of the truth, the more I realize how unfair it is to those in my village of Karamja. Here, my friends ask, “When are you getting that new iPhone?” back in Karamja, kids ask each other: Do you have enough to eat tonight? Here, I complain when bombarded with too much homework; back in Karamja, the youngsters get beat up if they complain about their growling stomachs. Here, I constantly worry about going to the most prestigious college; back in Karamja, my family and friends worry about survival: food and shelter. How this is fair?

The truth inspired me to take action. For the last few years, I have done odd jobs wherever I could. I paint fences, I cut lawns, I take out weeds, I tutor countless students, and I held a job stocking shelves at a grocery store. I am raising money to help the friends left behind in my village.

Last January, I returned to Karamja after eight-years. Through the $5,000 I raised from work, I was thrilled to donate school materials, kerosene lamps, mosquito nets, water pumps, and sanitary toilets. Students who showed talent received scholarships. I held daily lessons and taught about the importance of continuing education, and more. I visited students’ homes and urged their parents to let them stay in school. Today, I’m working toward a goal of raising funds for a permanent school, designed specifically to make it practical for the children of Karamja to remain in school by having a location in their own village.

I believe my mission has build good will and better friendships and will continue to do so over time. Already, my students in Karamja showed much enthusiasm and interest in their educational pursuits. Furthermore, their parents, who usually put pressures on them to drop out, were delighted and impressed by my efforts. With the new school, this enthusiasm will only grow.

Finally, it is imperative that I present my project to benefit not only those in Karamja, but also my peers and community members here in the United States. For the last few months, I have shared my story via interviews in San Luis Obispo Tribune, KCOY, KSBY, among others.

Additionally, I gave presentations in local schools, organizations, and various clubs, including Rotary International and Key Club International. I am humbled by the responses to my story and to have received a myriad of donations. I believe the more I spread my story, the more people will learn about the needs of those in destitution that they cannot imagine and just as importantly, the faster the new school will be built.

We must connect the two worlds: one that strives on success, the other that lacks survival needs. Only by building a connection can we truly benefit both worlds. The kids in my village will get more opportunities, while my peers will be more aware of those living in poverty. All will benefit.

I might easily have been laboring in the fields with my father under the scorching sun of Karamja had I still lived in Bangladesh. Instead, I go to a wonderful high school. I am lucky to be here. I will never forget my roots or those still struggling in my village of Karamja. And I will always utilize the 4-Way Test to achieve my goals and dreams.

The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Kathleen Schwind, Third Place
Grade 9,   Arroyo Grande High School
Teacher: Mrs. Pierce

Lately in the newspaper there was an article entitled What Would Atticus Do? Harper Lee’s beloved story has proven to be still as influential in our society today as it was in the early nineteen-sixties. The author of this article, William McGurn, draws many parallels between the characters of To Kill A Mockingbird and the players in the recent Trayvon Martin case. However, I disagree with one of his main points: I see no Atticus Finch in the Trayvon Martin controversy. An Atticus Finch would have demonstrated the Four-Way Test, as it appears Atticus did in the novel. Such a person would have governed his every decision using the Four-Way Test as a guide.

The Four-Way Test – is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build good will and better friendships, will it be beneficial to all concerned- is the essence of Harper Lee’s character, Atticus Finch. Mr. Finch is burdened with the case of a black man accused of raping a white woman. Atticus finds this is not the truth, and proceeds to demonstrate the first rule of the four-way test by calling witnesses and introducing truthful documents in court. In the Trayvon Martin case, the truth has still not been brought out by an Atticus Finch or anyone else. Unlike in Lee’s court case, we have no one playing the role as Atticus. Instead we have players such as NBC News editing the 911 dispatch call from Zimmerman, the accused, to make it appear that racism drove his actions.  Even a sitting Congressman drew conclusions and leveled accusations before acquiring enough information to discern the truth.  Unfortunately, many people of a wide and varied status and persuasion have bypassed the first of the four ways tests, and declared a verdict before an Atticus Finch could even begin to make a case.

Atticus Finch also takes into consideration the fairness of his case in terms of everyone involved. He realizes it would not be fair to have an innocent man be hung because of an accusation based only on the color of his skin. He takes it upon himself to make sure it is fair to all concerned. Yet in the Martin case people such as Spike Lee, a filmmaker, have gotten so wrapped up in the politics that they have forced an innocent family out of their home. Mr. Lee apparently wanted street justice, and publicly posted the address of a Zimmerman family in hopes they would receive hate mail and possibly death threats. Yet the address was for the wrong Zimmerman family. This is clearly not fair to the family who had nothing to do with this case and was falsely linked to this unfortunate situation. If Mr. Lee had applied the Four-Way Test, he would not have made that rash, potentially fatal decision.

Atticus Finch’s decision to take on the nearly impossible case built a foundation for a lasting good will between all people, blacks and whites. His foresight, knowing that a short period of interracial distrust could be replaced with long term harmony, was appreciated by some, though not all at the time. When he went to where the blacks lived, he was offered gifts and was looked upon with thanks. He helped pave the way and build the bridge between these two races that were so segregated. He was able to build friendships with people of other races and helped his young children do the same. However, no one in the Trayvon Martin case has done anything to that effect; they have in fact been doing the opposite. People and social groups have been trying to break the bonds between the two societies that the Atticus Finch’s have worked so hard to build up in recent decades.

Members of Congress, television personalities, journalists, and the Black Panther party would have served everyone better if they waited for the facts to come out before jumping to conclusions. Imagine how much better served we would all have been had everyone considered a process such as the Four Way Test before reacting.  Did any of the voices we’ve heard from on this matter consider whether their words or deeds were beneficial to ALL concerned?  There was no due process for Zimmerman.  His family and the public officials involved have been convicted as accomplices in a crime that hasn’t been tried.  Atticus hasn’t even been given the case, because it is being tried in the court of public opinion, to no one’s benefit.  In To Kill A Mockingbird the people accusing the innocent man thought that it was beneficial for them to convict someone, even if it may be the wrong person.  Really, the people accusing the innocent merely wanted their “pound of flesh” and did not realize that the guilty party is still out there and may harm someone else. If justice was duly served, then it would be beneficial to all concerned, as justice always is.  Understandably, the family and friends of Trayvon Martin are devastated at their loss, and desperately seek solace.  But their search for solace down the path of injustice for another will produce only more sorrow.  What would Atticus do?

Unfortunately this type of reaction, this public destruction of others, is not confined to the Trayvon Martin case. Numerous cases every year exhibit this same pattern. I believe we should do as Atticus would do.  I believe that we – not just the congressmen, and television broadcasters, but all of us – should slow down, take a deep breath, and read the Four-Way Test, and then begin again on the proper footing.  As Harper Lee herself said at a special screening of her book at the White House, “The world needs [Atticus] now more than ever.” And this is true. We need more people like Atticus in this world because people with those kinds of strong ethics, morals, and values are hard to come by these days. I believe that if we all truly adopt the Four-Way Test into our lives and use it to govern our decisions; we can all have some Atticus Finch within us.

The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Ryan Brennan, First Place
Grade 8,   Coastal Christian School
Teacher: Mrs. Sano

The Four Way Test is a very constructive guideline that is beneficial to many events and issues. If every citizen, every student, every human being used this test as a pattern and indicator for their dilemmas and obstacles, our community would become a more compassionate wiser place. The Four Way Test asks these questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it bring goodwill and better friendships? And is it beneficial to all concerned?

Is it the truth? You might ask yourself this question when you are in a place where you are advising somebody about a certain situation to which you were a witness. To determine if it is the truth, say to yourself “If this person were at the scenario would what I am saying line up with what they saw?” If it does not then maybe you are exaggerating, or stretching the truth. Both of these are dishonest and should be avoided. Although it might seem easy enough to fib to get out of trouble, it would lead to more untruthfulness and lying. An example is when my family and I went to see a movie at the drive-in theater. We pulled up and saw the prices for each age. I was considered an adult therefore it cost seven dollars more than the child’s price. When we arrived at the ticket booth the employee assumed I received the child’s price and she inquired “And you get the child’s price, correct?” I could have easily proclaimed a little white lie and drove on; I mean it could have saved seven dollars. I eventually told the truth about my age and cannot complain that I did because on the drive out I glanced at a sign that stated if you lied about you age then you would be fined over one hundred dollars. As a result I acquired knowledge in the experience and I can look back and say it was in line with the Four Way Test.

Is it fair to all concerned? When something is fair it is unbiased as well as demonstrates impartiality. An example of fairness as well as impartiality is the U.S. court system. Our court system states that you are innocent before proven guilty. It grants the accused the right to not be judged on appearance for his evaluation to be fair. Fairness is also a quality needed everywhere such as school or work. Performing a fair task means that you are doing it out of you heart and not just because you want to improve your reputation or because you want to impress the person who asked the favor. A fair decision requires a fair and just judge. Making a fair decision is difficult especially if it is an area that is unclear and gray.  When you ask yourself if something is fair you need to determine each side justly and without any persuasion or influence from others.

Will it bring goodwill and better friendships? The definition of good will is a friendly disposition; benevolence; kindness (dictionary.reference.com). If you are kind to someone it will strengthen your relationship with him. Therefore out of good will, friendships grow. Goodwill can include anything from unloading the dishwasher to donating to a charity. Sometimes even acknowledging outcasts and having a brief conversation will make them feel important and loved. Some are worried about being shunned by their friends for interacting with the outcasts. If that is the case then they are not genuine friends and comments should be ignored. Gossip is common in conversations and certainly does not bring goodwill or better friendships. Sometimes making a small negative comment can get around and animosity as well as tension can be apparent in relationships. Gossips corollary results in sabotaged friendships and numerous enemies. Gossip should be eluded because it does the contrast of what the Four Way Test asks.

Is it beneficial to all concerned? When you are about to say or do something this question is good to remember. It is helpful to ask this when you are about to do something impulsive. Beneficial means that it will bring advantages to others that you have influence over or you are an example to them. This is an uncommon thing in today’s culture as a result of the concept that every thing revolves around oneself and one rarely thinks of others or their benefits. An instance that this question can be compared to is when I received an art set when I was young. It was given to me when I was young and I rarely used it, my sister on the other hand painted often and would constantly ask to borrow them so she could paint pictures for other people. I was stubborn and only sometimes loaned them to her. My decision was selfish and certainly not beneficial to all concerned.

As a result the Four Way Test applies to all subjects and situations. This is a great and simple way to solve problems and make decisions. It is beneficial because any obstacle you stumble upon, this will aid you to get back on track.

The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Rebecca Schwind, First Place
Grade 6,   Shell Beach Elementary
Teacher: Mrs. Schmieg

For me, sixth grade has been the best of times and the worst of times. The best part of the sixth grade class is my teacher, Mr. Schmieg. Mr. Schmieg exemplifies the 4-Way Test He is honest and kind. I often don’t like school, but I think to myself, at least Mr. Schmieg is there, and he’ll make it better and worthwhile for us. Mr. Schmieg makes school beneficial for us students not only teaching us academics, but he also shows us by example how to treat each other with dignity and respect He is Mr with the way he grades and disciplines the class. He is even nice to the kids who do not behave. Through example, he shows us kids how we can also be nice to others even though they may not be nice to us. He helps us build good will and better friendships by taking class time and having each student give compliments to other students. It builds good will among us and helps us focus on what is positive about that person. Mr. Schmieg takes time to talk with us and listen to any problems we have. It makes us feel special and benefits the whole class because then we are happy students. On the other hand, it has not been all smooth sailing for me. In one way it has been the worst year so far because some of the kids who used to be nice changed into mean and selfish rascals. One girl started picking on me and saying unkind and hurtful things. She did things like mess up my papers when I walked away from my desk. It got so bad mat I didn’t want to go to school. My mom talked with Mr. Schmieg, and he had her moved to a different table. This solved part of the problem. I still had to see her and would bump into her quite a bit I managed to solve this very uncomfortable problem by remembering the Rotary Club’s 4-WayTest All the things this girl had done to me went against the 4 rules of the 4-Way Test Did she tell the truth about me? No. Was what she did fair to me? No. Did she build good will and a better friendship with me? No. Was what she did beneficial to all concerned? No. I wondered if it was possible if she would ever change and then I thought about using the 4- Way test on her.  It was worth a try, as I had nothing to lose. I started by trying to talk with her. She liked the nice things I said about her and she started to not be so mean. I invited her to a club at school. Showing her kindness built good will with her which began a friendship. Then I spoke with her and told her mat things were a bit rough between us and I wanted to work it out It turned out she was undergoing some issues at home and was having a hard time. Now instead of dreading bumping into her I actually enjoy it I learned that saying nice things about others benefits everyone, so I have left several anonymous positive notes for all the kids in my class. These notes have created good will among my classmates and makes everyone feel good.

I love the 4-Way Test! It helps me solve problems and decide the right way to travel on the road of life. It is a great concept that teachers should teach in class.