Local Rotary Clubs promote ethics and civility to ninth graders

Rotary Clubs in communities throughout northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula are sponsoring local Rotary Four Way Test Speaking contests with students able to win up to $1,500.
The Rotary Four Way Test was developed more than 100 years ago to teach ethics to Rotary members and the business community.
It states, “In all the things we think, say and do, is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and better friendship, and will it be beneficial to all concerned.”
Ninth graders students are invited to write a five-minute speech on how to apply the Four Way test to social media and how people are treated. Detailed information about contest rules and how to enter is available at: redistricting6220org.
Local winners will be awarded a cash prize of $500 and enter competition on the Rotary District level where first place will be $1,000; second and third place prizes will also be awarded locally and by the district.

Rotary District 6220 is comprised of 41 clubs throughout Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Rotary International is one of the world’s largest service clubs with more than 1,400,000 members in more than 200 countries.
Rotary District Governor Roger Utnehmer, a member of the Rotary Club of Wausau, invites parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, and relatives to encourage ninth grade students to participate.
“The next pandemic in America may very well be teen mental health,” Utnehmer said. “A speaking contests that encourages students to think about their social media activity and how they treat others may be one way to deal with the rising problem of teen anxiety and depression.”
The thoughts shared by students in these five-minute speeches can be very helpful in assisting adults to relate more effectively to young people, according to Utnehmer.
The deadline for local competitions is April 1, 2025, with the District competition scheduled for April 12.
Local competitions may be online or in person. District competition will be online only.
For complete entry details, go to: ridistrict6220.org.