What are the benefits to integrating the Laws of Life Essay Contest into your classroom?

• Gives school an effective, easy to implement character based program and an authentic purpose for writing.
  
• Provides teachers with the opportunity to get to know their students better, improving the classroom climate and relationships.
• Provides an opportunity for writing a personal narrative, a component of academic standards.
• Provides practice for state, SAT and ACT writing tests as well as college entrance essays.
• Builds stronger community-school ties by enabling educators and community members to work side by side on a positive and affirming activity.
• Allows students to write about life events, which can be cathartic and confidence building.
• Encourages self-reflection, which contributes to academic success
• Unlike other essay contests, the Laws of Life Essay Contest winners can be from all ability levels, including student with special needs and/or at risk students.

The Laws of Life Essay Contest is open to schools with students in grades 9-12 throughout the following counties:

• Ashland
• Medina
• Portage
• Richland
• Summit
• Wayne

BBB Akron sponsors this contest to recognize the achievements of these exceptional youth and to encourage schools and communities in our service area to engage in this enriching and valuable experience.

A local contest is a simple as one teacher and one class or whatever works for your community. From the beginning, the motto of the Laws of Life Essay Contest has been "Do what fits!"

The Teacher's Guide has suggested lession plans, essay prompts and recommendations on how to integrate this writing assignment within state and Common Core standards.

Download the Contest Packet and full Teacher's Guide below. All resources are available for free.

• Contest packet
• Teacher's guide

Students may also participate independently if your school doesn't offer it as an in-class project.

Still have questions?

Contact Kimberly Ickes, Senior Director of Administration at kickes@akronbbb.org or (330) 564-2483 for help on how to get started.

JUSTICE 

High-character people uphold truth, expose error, and correct wrongs.

Just people are diligent in weighing evidence and seeking out the truth. They analyze and evaluate individuals and information. They protect the innocent but hold the guilty accountable. They strive not to be harsh, exasperating, or manipulative. Just people try to objectively determine what outcome, however difficult or painful, is right.

Observable virtues: impartial, unbiased, diligent, decisive 

Typical examples include:

•  Decisions that affect people are not made hastily; facts are gathered and thoroughly considered. 
• Good behavior is rewarded as often as wrong behavior is confronted. 
•  People do not play favorites; all operate by the same rules and have the same opportunity. 
• People do not intentionally use harsh or manipulative means to gain an advantage. 
•  When a wrong is committed, regardless of the outcome, the offender(s) is confronted with the wrong. 

We ask students to reflect on what “JUSTICE” means to them, why it is an important Law of Life, how they learned this trait, and how they have changed their behavior to live up to that law. Below are some potentially helpful prompts

• What does justice mean to you, personally? How do you define justice in your own life? Why do you think it is an important principle to live by? 
•  Describe a time when you stood up for what was right, even though it was difficult. What happened? What did you risk? How did you feel afterward? 
•  Write about a time when you witnessed someone being treated unfairly. How did you react and what did you learn from that experience? 
•  Who in your life has taught you the most about justice?  This could be a family member, teacher, coach, friend or even a public figure. What lessons did they teach you? 
• How is being “just” different from being “fair”? Reflect on whether these words are interchangeable. How does justice require more than just treating people equally? 

Students are not required to write about this topic, however, the best essay on JUSTICE will be awarded $500! 

All entries must be emailed or postmarked by March 13, 2026. 

Email to:
Kimberly Ickes, Senior Director of Administration
kickes@akronbbb.org

Mail to:
Better Business Bureau
Laws of Life Essay Contest
388 S. Main Street, Suite 302
Akron, OH 44311

Winners will be notified by the end of May 2026.

To submit entries by mail:

1. The Student Entry Form must be submitted for each essay. This applies to both independent submissions and group submissions.
2. Obtain the student and parent/guardian signatures.
3. Paperclip (please no staples) the entry form to one copy of each essay, printed one-sided and on white paper only. No names or identifying information should appear on the essays.
4. Complete a Coordinator Registration Form for group submission. If your group is larger than 25 students, the Coordinator should submit the top 25 for judging.
5. Entries must be postmarked by March 13, 2026 and mailed to:
   Better Business Bureau
   Laws of life Essay Contest
   388 S. Main Street, Suite 302
   Akron, OH 44311

To submit entries by email:

1. The Student Entry Form must be submitted for each essay. This applies to both independent submissions and group submissions.
2. Obtain the student and parent/guardian signatures.
3. Complete a Coordinator Registration Form for group submission. If your group is larger than 25 students, the Coordinator should submit the top 25 for judging.
4. Email completed Student Entry Forms, essays (no names or identifying information should appear on the essays) and Coordinator Registratioion Form by March 13, 2026 to:
   Kimberly Ickes
   Subject Line: Laws of Life Essay Contest - School Name
   kickes@akronbbb.org

Essays will primarily be judged on their content and best overall use of the contest theme to describe a life lesson. Some importance to presentation and mechanics of writing will be considered in judging to the extent that thoughts within the essay are clearly understood. In instances where content has equal merit, the essay which is better written or presented will be given a higher score. 

Sample BBB Laws of Life Essay Contest Grading Rubric

Students Cash Awards:

You can view past winners on the BBB Student Contest Winners Page.

Since 1920, BBB Akron has been a trusted voice promoting ethics, integrity and trust in the marketplace. Now, the organization is inviting the next generation of creatives to help tell that story through design.

This competition is a chance to:

• Collaborate with a respected and recognizable brand
• Practice visual storytelling and creative expression 
• Build experience in graphic or fine arts 
• Earn public recognition and cash prizes 

All submissions become the property of BBB Akron and may be featured in future media, marketing campaigns or promotional materials.

The BBB Student Poster Contest is open to  all students in grades 9-12 throughout the following Ohio counties:

• Ashland
• Medina
• Portage
• Richland
• Summit
• Wayne

Create an original piece of visual art that shows what TRUST means to you. Any style of visual art is accepted (painting, drawing, digital mixed media, etc.).

Contest packet

If needed here are PNGs of the BBB torch logos and BBB Designer Checklist that includes BBB brand colors.

BBB Logo - Blue

BBB Logo - White

BBB Logo - Black

BBB Designer Checklist

Entries must creatively reflect the theme of trust, a core value of the Better Business Bureau.

Submissions should express what trust means to you, your community or the marketplace, and must incorporate the BBB brand identity in a clear and meaningful way.

• Communication of Theme: How effectively does the design express the idea of “Trust”? 
• Creativity & Originality: How unique and artistic is the concept?
• Production Quality: How well is the piece designed, edited, laid out or rendered?

Format: JPG or PNG (via email) or flash drive (by mail)

Required elements

• Entries should reflect the theme “Start with trust.” 
• Submissions may be in graphic design, fine art or mixed media. 
• Files can be submitted by email in JPG or PNG format or mailed on a flash drive. 
• Work must be original and created by the student.

Entries become the property of the Better Business Bureau and may be used in future promotions, events or marketing campaigns.

Each submission must include a signed entry form. By signing, the student confirms they have read and understood the rules and guidelines, as well as the terms and conditions. Submissions without a signed entry form will not be accepted.

Don’t miss out!

Let your imagination take the lead. Submit your work and show how trust inspires your creative voice. We look forward to seeing what you design.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES

All entries and signed forms must be emailed by March 13, 2026. Winners will be notified in May 2026