The Four-Way Test ethics program involved students in elementary, middle, and high school. Some of the elementary school honorees are pictured above.

Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

As participants in the Four-Way Test ethics program, students in eight Baltimore County schools have been examining these questions since January. This ethics program was coordinated in partnership with The Rotary Club of Hunt Valley and Heavenly Ham of Baltimore. The Four-Way Test, which has been an official part of Rotary International since 1943, challenges its followers to ask themselves the above four questions when making any decision.

From left to right: Jim Hess, President of the Rotary Club of Hunt Valley; name not available; Jim Houck, Rotary Club member; and Ken Higgins (on podium), President of Heavenly Ham of Baltimore and Rotary Club member

The participating Baltimore County schools included Fifth District, Prettyboy, Seventh District, Sparks, and Warren elementary schools, Hereford Middle School, and Hereford and Loch Raven high schools. Through the program, students in grades 3 through 5 developed posters, 8th-graders wrote essays, and high school students wrote speeches.

On May 2, 2006, the Rotary Club of Hunt Valley hosted an end-of-year banquet at the Hunt Valley Country Club for the top participants at each school and their families. Cash awards were presented to the top three finishers in each grade level at each school. For elementary school students, first, second, and third place awards were $75, $50, and $25 respectively. At the middle school level, prizes were $100, $75, and $50, and at the high school level, $150, $125, and $100.

Poster welcomed guests to Four-Way test celebration and highlighted partnership between Baltimore County Public Schools, The Rotary Club of Hunt Valley, and Heavenly Ham of Baltimore.

Also at this event, the winning speechwriters from Loch Raven and Hereford high schools performed their speeches. The grand prizewinner for the speech contest, Abbey B., of Loch Raven High, was awarded with $1,000, and the runner-up Autumn K. of Hereford High, earned $300.

Heavenly Ham of Baltimore provided all of the cash prizes, funding more than $5,000 in prize money for students and donating $250 each to all schools that achieved a 15 percent participation level in the program.

Participating schools began promoting the program this past fall with signage in their buildings. Each month throughout the school year, elementary schools recognized student who were “caught” using The Four-Way Test and demonstrating good ethics.

"Baltimore County Public Schools appreciates the support of community partners like the Rotary Club of Hunt Valley and Heavenly Ham of Baltimore with

Four-Way Test Honorees

Fifth District Elementary School Third Grade 1st Place – Jessica C. 2nd Place – Corinne S. 3rd Place – Traci R. Fourth Grade 1st Place – Nichole E. 2nd Place – Abigail R. 3rd Place – Grant R. Fifth Grade 1st Place – Conor C. 2nd Place – Sydney C. 3rd Place – Helena T. Prettyboy Elementary School Third Grade 1st Place – Caprice R. 2nd Place – Matte P. 3rd Place – Taylor S. Fourth Grade 1st Place – Jennifer L. 2nd Place – Matthew J. 3rd Place – Sara C. Fifth Grade 1st Place – Chris M. 2nd Place – Charles P. 3rd Place – Esu O. Seventh District Elementary School Third Grade 1st Place – 2nd Place – Noelle F. 3rd Place – Jerry W. Fourth Grade 1st Place – Santana M. 2nd Place – Meredith J. 3rd Place – Morgan H. Fifth Grade 1st Place – Meg A. 2nd Place – Molly W. 3rd Place – Stevie D.

Sparks Elementary School Third Grade 1st Place – Katie F. 2nd Place – Bailey H. 3rd Place – Alex K. Fourth Grade 1st Place – Alex H. 2nd Place – Charlie R. 3rd Place – Cheraden J. Fifth Grade 1st Place – Brianna M. 2nd Place – Jessica D. 3rd Place – Sam B. Warren Elementary School Third Grade 1st Place – Emma P. 2nd Place – Chloe M. 3rd Place – Tim C. Fourth Grade 1st Place – Aaron S. 2nd Place – Jennifer H. 3rd Place – Maia S. Fifth Grade 1st Place – Aida K. 2nd Place – Stephanie M. 3rd Place – Ali J. Hereford Middle School Eighth Grade 1st Place – Alex Elizabeth B. 2nd Place – Caitlin A. 3rd Place – Caroline W. Hereford High School Ninth Grade 1st Place – Autumn K. 2nd Place – Victoria W. 3rd Place – Kristin K. Loch Raven High School Twelfth Grade 1st Place – Abbey B. 2nd Place – Kaitlyn M. 3rd Place – Gina B.

The Four-Way Test," said Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools. "The Rotary Club's long-standing reputation in Baltimore County makes its official code of ethics a wonderful lesson to teach our students, who will one day be members of this business community."

“Community involvement is an essential part of the mission for both the Rotary Club of Hunt Valley and Heavenly Ham of Baltimore,” said Ken Higgins, franchisee of the Baltimore-area Heavenly Ham locations and a member of the Rotary Club of Hunt Valley. “I have enjoyed working with The Rotary Club, Baltimore County Public Schools and St. Stephen’s School and recognizing the winners at the banquet.”

The Rotary Club of Hunt Valley has 30 members and is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders united to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. The world's first service organization (founded in 1905), Rotary is the world's largest private provider of college scholarships.

Heavenly Ham of Baltimore operates carryout, dine-in and catering services in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties.

Story by Diana Spencer, communications officer. Photos courtesy of Heavenly Ham.