The Philadelphia Inspired Expressions Contest is open to all high school students (public, parochial, vocational, charter, independent, private, special) in the Philadelphia and Chester Upland School Districts.

Contest Goals

1. To inspire students of all abilities and backgrounds to express themselves using writing, music or art. Students are asked to respond to a basic question: "What Law of Life do you think matters most?"
   
   
2. To publicly honor students for their accomplishments, in the hopes that this reinforcement will encourage and empower young people to live by their principles and pursue their dreams.

What is a Law of Life?

• "An attitude of gratitude creates blessings."
  
  
• "You are only as good as your word."
  
  
• "Conceive it. Believe it. Achieve it."
  
  
• "Honesty is the best policy."
  
  
• "To have a friend, be one."
  
  
• "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

These are just some of the Laws of Life by which we live. Often called wise sayings or maxims, Laws of Life transcend religions, cultures and national borders. They reveal the core values that make up our character, and they provide us with a compass as we journey through life.

So what are your Laws of Life?

When you think about it, that is quite a challenging question. And that is exactly what young people are asked when they participate in the Philadelphia Inspired Expressions Contest. There is no right answer or quick response. In order to succeed in this activity, contest participants need to reflect and express from the heart what they think matters most in life.

Prizes!

Prize money will be awarded to Philadelphia youth. Teachers will also win cash prizes. This contest will be an exciting chance for Philadelphia teachers and students to shine! Click here to find out about prizes.

Don’t let your students miss out on this contest!

If you are a high school teacher or staff member in the Philadelphia or Chester Upland School District and you would like your school to participate in the 2006-2007 contest, click here for information and school profile forms.

Please note: School profile forms are due by November 1, 2006.
Download the Information Packet Now.

If you have questions please email: InspiredExpressions@piecontest.org.

Would you like to be a judge?

If you would like to become an essay judge for this contest, please click here for more information.

Where did the contest come from?

The John Templeton Foundation, a non-profit private foundation based in West Conshohocken, PA, developed the program, which was originally called the Laws of Life Essay Contest, seventeen years ago. Sir John Templeton, global philanthropist and investment manager, created the contest as a means of challenging young people to reflect and write about those Laws of Life that they think matter most. There are currently 130 local programs in 37 states and 28 countries, and last year more than 150,000 youth participated in the contest, the largest character education program of its kind in the world. (www.LawsofLife.org)