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JGC/United Publishing fosters development of reading, writing, listening, thinking, and speaking skills by sponsoring writing contests throughout the year and by publishing winning authors' works here.

JGC/United Publishing Earth Day 2007 Essay Writing Contest Winners

Selecting winners from this year's entries was very, very difficult because so many excellent essays were submitted. I easily could have selected three dozen winners or more. I am heartened to see the wonderful results of efforts by teachers to help their students be both better writers and better citizens at school, at home, and in their broader communities. Congratulations to everyone who submitted an essay, and congratulations to the teachers and parents whose encouragement and good example give us hope for a better world with a better life for all. — John Gile

First Prize Award, $1,000 and a complimentary copy of The First Forest for every student at the winner's school:

Alyssa Colbert, 5th Grade, Thomas Dooley School, Schaumburg, Illinois

Respect is a very important word in my family. I live with both of my parents, my older brother and sisters. Without respect in our house, our own little city wouldn't work. There are rules and regulations that our parents have put in place for all of us which help keep us safe and our house a nice place to live in. We follow the rules by helping keep the house together.

My room is one of my responsibilities, and if I don't keep my room in order, that may cause an imbalance in my house. My brother and sisters may see me not following the rules that our parents have made for us and try to do the same thing. If we all break the rules, then our house is a mess. Then there no respect for my parents, myself, and more importantly, there's no respect for my grandmother who passed away and made a way for us to have our house. I don't want to disrespect my parents, and I don't want to disrespect my grandmother whom I love and miss. By respecting and honoring the rules and regulations that my parents have set in place for me and my brother and sisters, this honors and respects my grandmother.

Since I believe my mother is like a little version of my grandmother, she's shown me how to respect the outside of our house as well. I help clean up in the spring and summer any garbage that was left around the house during the Winter. I help my mom plant beautiful flowers and water the grass. I don't really mind the heat in the summer, so I push really hard for us not to use the air conditioning a lot.

The biggest thing I shoot for is Recycling. As a member of the Environmental Club at school, this has helped me learn a lot about saving “Mother Earth.” And because of what I have learned, I let my family know that if we do our part to recycle cans, bottles, plastic, and newspapers, then we're respecting the land we live on. Our family is only one of many, but if we can do our part, the respect I've been taught by my parents and the Environmental Club won't be just for my house, but also for those who helped me before and those who will continue to help after me. Love and respect for “Mother Earth” can bring love and respect to your own house. — By Alyssa Colbert, reprinted here with permission.

Second Prize Award, $500:

Licheng Xu, 5th Grade, Manuel Pena Elementary School, Phoenix, Arizona

Do you want to live in a world of sunshine with blossoms dotting the ground? Respect is the sunshine on a harsh winter day, warming people's hearts. Respect is a trickling spring in the baked desert climate that sprinkles our surroundings with greenery and beautifies our planet.

Respect shines like a star in our lives. It lightens the mood of everyone around us. We, as young kids, can show respect in every aspect of our lives, anywhere. If we disrupt in class, we are disrespecting the teacher. To bring our teachers a lighted day, we have to follow directions and appreciate their labor. At home, whenever I help my mom tidy the house, she smiles from deep inside.

We show respect not only to the people, but also to the places around us. If litter is reduced, we'll be one step closer to a better environment. Picking up trash, recycling items, and planting trees are what we could do to help protect the environment. Furthermore, saving water is a good habit. A clean nature brings a healthy life to the people. We must realize the importance to respect the place and make a commitment to add our contribution.

Helping our planet helps us, too. Litter is harmful to wildlife and spreads bacteria. The quality of our lives relies on the harmonious relationship among individuals and the environment we create. Respect is the most important factor that makes it happen.

Respect is one of the most important personality traits we should foster. Your respect to people earns you back respect from others and from nature. Let's all contribute to make the world a more enjoyable place. — By Licheng Xu, reprinted here with permission.

Runner-up Award, $100:

Morgan Sweere, 5th Grade, Ruth Doyle Intermediate School, Conway, Arkansas

Respect is showing tolerance, acceptance, and decency towards people and things. It is about being considerate of the consequences that our behavior has on others. Respect is the foundation for our civilization. Native Americans did not waste any part of an animal they killed, because they were showing respect to that animal for giving up its life so they could live. I show respect for the people and places in my life in many ways. Treating others the way I want to be treated is always at the center of every action I have. I accept others, act responsibly towards them, and show regard for their thoughts and opinions.

First, I show respect for people by accepting them. I value their culture and background. I learn many things from my friends who come from cultures other than my own. This knowledge enables me to admire the differences in others and gain many friends.

Second, I show respect for people and places in my life by acting responsibly towards them. I am polite to everyone, not just authority figures. I also value property belonging to others. Honesty and responsibility are a big part of how I show respect to others.

Third, I show regard for others' thoughts and opinions. This does not always mean I agree with their actions. Open communication is the key to understanding differences. Open communication involves listening with your heart as well as talking with your brain. Open communication breeds respect.

Respect is showing deference to people and places. By accepting others, acting responsibly towards people and places, and having a regard for others' thoughts and opinions, I show respect to people in my life. Respect has to be given as well as earned. Remember, people who want to be respected have to respect others first. — By Morgan Sweere, reprinted here with permission.

Runner-up Award, $100:

Bridget E., 1st Grade, Frenchtown Elementary School, Trumbull, Connecticut (name withheld upon request)

Respect means to treat people the way you want to be treated. I show respect to people by listening when they speak. I say please and thank you and raise my hand when I want to speak. I show respect to places by taking care of other people's things the way I want them to treat my stuff. I show respect by telling the truth. I show respect by letting other kids play my games. I think respect feels very, very good. I feel good when people treat me with respect. — By Bridget E., reprinted here with permission.

Runner-up Award, $100:

Stephanie Augustine, 6th Grade, Homeschooling, Palmerton, Pennsylvania

What is respect? Respect is made up of many different pieces and parts.

R: Responsibility. Every citizen on earth has the responsibility to take care of this planet so it stays clean and safe.

E: Energy. The earth has a limited amount of energy to heal the wounds we have caused. The wounds of trees being cut down and, in other locations, there is infection: landfills. Pollution clouds the world's water, poisoning the blood of Mother Nature. Now we must use our own energy to stop the decimation of the rain forest and other natural beauties.

S: Simple. It is very simple to show respect to people and places in your life. Showing respect starts with something as little as being nice to your friends and family, or just plain helping out when there is an opportunity.

P: People. People need to be more considerate of each other, both physically and mentally. If people eliminate terrorism, war, and crime, perhaps the world can become a paradise.

E: Example. Each citizen must set a good example for both present and future generations. Every person should follow in the wise footsteps of their predecessors, and show respect to people and the earth.

C: Courage. It takes courage to be different, to stand out from the crowd. It is strength of mind, not of body, that forces the salmon to swim upstream against the current.

T: Time. It doesn't take much time to do the right thing, but if you do the wrong thing it could be years before the scar finally heals. This scar may not just be in the Earth, but in relations with family and friends.

Why should we show respect? We should show respect to make the world a better, safer, and healthier place to live for generations to come. — By Stephanie Augustine, reprinted here with permission.

Runner-up Award, $100:

Chelsea Calhoon, Northside Intermediate School, Milton, Wisconsin

I walked through the halls of my school. There is trash on the carpet and mud everywhere.
That is not respect.

I run outside to play, but the playground has turned into a junkyard. There are beer bottles, soda cans, fast food bags, and more.
That is not respect.

I'm on my way home and I see two girls by the curb picking up litter off the streets.
That is respect.

I went to the doctor's office on Wednesday. I had to get a flu shot to stay healthy.
That is respect.

I invited my friend over to my sleepover. She started laughing at my pictures of my friend and me playing dress up.
That is not respect.

To brighten someone's day all you need to do is smile. You'll feel good and they'll feel good.
That is respect.

I was at recess and was on the monkey bars. A a girl was in front of me. She fell. HARD! I got down to help her. She said she was okay. Even though I didn't do something dramatic, I tried.
That is respect.

Even though there are some impertinent people in the world, there also are some respectful people in the world. We should look for the respectful people and let them shine, but impertinence should not be tolerated. — By Chelsea Calhoon, reprinted here with permission.

Runner-up Award, $100:

Amy Narotsky, 8th Grade, Gower Middle School, Willowbrook, Illinois

Respect is the principle foundation for our society. If we lose the ability to respect each other, we lose the ability to function as a community. Respect is enacted by the thoughtful consideration of others and our world.

I show respect in simple ways. Each day at school, smiling and saying hello makes a positive impact. I try to include someone who may be feeling left out at lunch. When people feel connected, enthusiastic energy is created which hopefully will extend respect and care to another person or place.

A major component of respect is for everyone to have the chance to lead a joyful and productive life. By accepting others' differences as a beautiful part of life and giving them the same treatment we would enjoy, you show respect. It starts with respecting yourself by living healthy and living gently on the earth.

We show respect for the place we live my making a conscious effort to protect our earth: by recycling, planting trees, carpooling, driving hybrid cars, and buying environmentally sound products. I ride my bike or walk to a friend's house. When shopping, I use one bag for everything and buy only what I need. For lunch, I have reusable containers. It all adds up.

I believe that animals are a crucial part of our society. We can respect animals by using non animal-tested products, understanding their physical and emotional needs, and providing them with love. Our treatment of animals is a reflection of our respect for others.

A major part of respect is giving love. If we strive to live a life with love then our world will be a safer, more civil place. Just think how wonderful our society could be when each of us respects our self, our neighbor, and our earth!

Program Drawing — (Every school with students submitting entries was eligible for a drawing to receive more than $1,500 in writing enrichment programs — presented to more than 500,000 in 39 states, Europe, and New Zealand — by author John Gile.):

Pilot Elementary School, Greensboro, North Carolina

Notice For Teachers And Parents:

Enthusiastic responses from teachers and students participating in our 2007 contest — 262 entries by students in 12 states — have prompted us to run the same contest again next year. The submission deadline is Earth Day, April 22, 2008, allowing you plenty of time to include the contest in your plans for next year. The contest entry guidelines and question — "How and why do I show respect for the people and places in my life?" — will be the same for the 2008 contest. First prize is $1000. Second prize is $500. Essay entries are eligible for additional $100 runner up prizes in each grade level, 1-8.

2008 Contest Guidelines

When the guest of honor at his 90th birthday celebration was asked to cite the biggest change he has seen in his lifetime. Technology was the expected answer — GPS, cell phones, computers, PDA's, space travel. Instead, he said the biggest change he has noticed is a decline in civility, "People don't show respect for each other anymore."

Fostering respect for others is a constant challenge for parents and teachers in a culture where children see road rage, school violence, sports scandals, talk show guests throwing chairs at each other, and prime time TV portraying casual sex as love and killing as the way to settle disputes. An essay contest encouraging children to think about, talk about, and write about showing respect for themselves and others can be a useful tool for countering those negative influences.

The 2008 essay contest will end on Earth Day, April 22, 2008. The traditional starting date is Valentine's Day because Valentine's Day is a time when people talk about love, both ersatz and real, and because respect is an integral part of love. Earth Day concludes the essay contest because Earth Day is a time when people talk about caring for the earth, a way we can show respect for each other and for future generations.

The essay contest asks students to answer the following question in 100 to 300 words: "How and why do I show respect for the people and places in my life?" The question may be answered by individual students or as a collaborative class effort submitted by teachers.

The contest is open to all students in grades 1-8 in the United States. Submissions must be postmarked no later than midnight Earth Day, April 22, 2008, and sent to Essay Contest c/o JGC/United Publishing, Box 2321, Loves Park, IL 61131. Winners will be notified on or before May 22, 2007. The student whose essay wins first prize will receive $1000. Second prize is $500. Essay entries are eligible for eight additional $100 runner up prizes, one at each grade level, 1-8.

Winners will be chosen by author John Gile, and every student at the first prize winner's school will receive a complimentary copy of his award-winning book The First Forest, a fable reminding readers "that peace and harmony flow from an attitude of grateful appreciation for the gifts we receive and a respect for the need and right of others to share in those gifts, also." (Author's note) Every school with students submitting entries will be eligible for a drawing to receive more than $1,500 in writing enrichment programs — presented to more than 500,000 in 39 states, Europe, and New Zealand — by the author.

Call 815.968.6601 if you have any questions.