Essay contest focuses on ethics

A survey showed 38 percent of teens believe cheating is sometimes necessary.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Junior Achievement (JA) and Deloitte have launched their fourth annual “Excellence through Ethics” essay contest, in which high school seniors are asked to apply their knowledge of ethical decision-making and share their views on the importance of ethics in business.

To enter, high school seniors must compose an original essay of 500 words or less in response to an ethical dilemma posted on Junior Achievement’s Web site, located at www.ja.org. Entries must be submitted online and will be accepted until March 28.

The essays will be judged on criteria that include how well the student analyzes the situation, presents a well-supported argument in response to the dilemma and how thoughtfully they articulate the importance of ethics in business.

The contest is part of Deloitte’s $2 million commitment to Junior Achievement to promote ethical decision-making among young people. Results of the fifth annual JA/Deloitte Teen Ethics Survey revealed that the majority of teens surveyed (71 percent) feel fully prepared to make ethical decisions when they enter the work force. Yet, 38 percent of that group believes it is sometimes necessary to cheat, plagiarize, lie or even behave violently in order to succeed. Nearly one-quarter (24 percent) of all teens surveyed think cheating on a test is acceptable on some level, and more than half of those teens (54 percent) say their personal desire to succeed is the rationale.

“This contest gives students a great opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the critical importance of ethical behavior in the workplace — while they try to earn money for college,” said Sean C. Rush, president and chief executive officer of Junior Achievement. “JA’s ethics curricula are a key component of our work-force readiness programs. We are proud to work with Deloitte to promote this important initiative and provide young people with ethical decision-making tools.”

To enter the contest, students must have completed at least one Junior Achievement lesson in ethical decision-making. For more information on the “Excellence through Ethics” essay contest, including the complete contest rules, please visit www.ja.org/ethics.