Thanks for your interest in the 2008-09 Excellence through Ethics Essay Contest. The contest is now closed, but if you want to learn more about it and this year's ethical dilemma, read on below. This year's content winner is Brook Miller.

Rules

• Essay should outline a solution to the ethical dilemma presented in 500 words or less (checked or calculated by the word count function in the word processing tool) and will be judged according to the following criteria:
  • Does the essay demonstrate a strong understanding of the importance of good business ethics?
  • Does the essay contain a well-reasoned point of view?
  • Is the essay original in analysis and composition?
  • Is the essay legible and written using proper spelling and grammar?
• Contest is open to current U.S. high school seniors (U.S. citizens) with a graduation date of winter 2008 or spring 2009 who have completed one JA class.  Preference will be given to students who have completed at least one Excellence through Ethics program lesson.  Excellence through Ethics lessons are available to download at: Lessons. Students are encouraged to complete the lessons with teachers, club sponsors, parents, etc.
• Submission is a 500-word essay written by the student that offers a solution to an ethical “dilemma.”
• Contestants may submit only one essay. 
• Essays must be submitted electronically using the "Submit your essay" link below.
• JA reserves the right to collect additional information from finalists or winner to verify eligibility. 
• One $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the winner for use at any accredited college or university, inside or outside the United States. The scholarship will be paid directly to the college or university where the winner is enrolled.  Winners must provide verification of college/university enrollment no later than May 29, 2009.
• Contest begins on November 4, 2008 and submissions are due no later than January 5, 2009 by 11:59pm Mountain Time.
• JA Worldwide and Deloitte retain all rights for present and future use of the winning essay.

Additional Contest Rules

• All state laws apply to this contest, and parental permission for further contact and actual prize award may be required. (The approximate odds of winning will depend on number of entries received.)
• JA Worldwide reserves the right to require proof that the winning entrant is currently a senior in high school with a graduation date of winter 2008 or spring 2009, and has been accepted at an accredited college or university, or can prove intent to attend college.
• Winner agrees to have his or her essay posted on www.ja.org and to allow JA Worldwide and Deloitte to use the essay as needed.
• Winner agrees to have his or her essay used by the Deloitte U.S. Firms in alignment with the promotion of community involvement and ethics.
• Contest is not open to members of the immediate families of partners or employees of the Deloitte U.S. Firms or JA Worldwide.
• Information collected for this promotion will not be shared with any third party and will only be used to determine the winner of the scholarship.  To view JA’s privacy policy, visit www.ja.org/about/privacy.html.
   

Read the ethical dilemma

2009 Winner

2008 Winner

2007 Winner