On Tuesday, February 27, 2018, several 11th grade students attended Ethics Symposium, an educational event held by the local Rotary Club. Talent search adviser Miss Ingrid, world history teacher Ms. Beck, and guidance counselor Mrs. Gibson joined the students for the event at Grove City College. At the event, over 100 students from several other local schools, including New Castle, New Wilmington, Farrell, Sharon, and Mohawk, convened to discuss the fundamental difference between “right” and “wrong” in professional life and school life. Students were challenged by local Rotarians to start applying the 4-way Rotary “test” to challenges in their everyday lives. The “test,” authored by Herbert J. Taylor, asks: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

After an orientation meeting, Grove City High School students performed a play that depicted modern high school drama that might compromise ethics such as the spreading of gossip, drugs, and sex. Students then dispersed into small groups of 10-15 in classrooms throughout Grove City College’s campus. In the classrooms, their discussions were moderated by college professors and Rotarians and encouraged debate on how to confront certain conduct issues as teenagers. At the end of the day, all students of different schools regrouped at the Pew Fine Arts Center auditorium for an “open mic” session of completely open debate. Our guidance counselor, Mrs. Gibson, was impressed and inspired by the symposium and even suggested that we might hold a similar intrascholastic conference at Ne-Ca-Hi in the near future.