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Atlanta Student Wins National Junior Achievement/Deloitte Essay Contest |
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NEWS RELEASE
Atlanta Student Wins National Junior Achievement/Deloitte Essay Contest Student Applies Ethical Decision-Making Skills and Wins $5,000 College Scholarship in Sixth Annual “Excellence through Ethics” Essay Contest
Colorado Springs,
Colo.
— Junior Achievement (JA) and Deloitte today announced that Kevin
Shutzberg, 18, of Atlanta, is the winner of the national "Excellence through
Ethics" essay contest.
The contest asked high school seniors to apply their knowledge of ethical decision-making and share their views on the importance of ethical decision-making by providing a solution to the dilemma faced by Beth, a fictional high school student who discovers that her online study group has procured an advance copy of a physics test. The advance test had been described as a practice version by one of Beth's new friends, but it turned out to be identical to the one administered in class. When Beth discovers the apparent deception by her classmates, she is faced with a series of difficult decisions. Shutzberg's essay was selected by members of the Junior Achievement Blue Ribbon Panel on Ethics, comprised of corporate ethics officers and university professors. The essays were judged on how well the student analyzed the situation, presented a well-supported argument in response to the dilemma, and on how well they articulated the importance of making ethical decisions. In his essay, Shutzberg recommended that Beth discuss the matter with her teacher and suggest that a new test be administered, in order to level the playing field with classmates who didn't have access to the advance test copy. In addition, Shutzberg made thoughtful recommendations on how Beth could approach the other decisions that were part of the quandary in which she found herself. Results of the seventh annual Junior Achievement/Deloitte Teen Ethics Survey, which focused on the ethical implications of the popularity of social networking, revealed that online social networks have become so central to teens' lifestyles that more than half (58 percent) would consider their ability to access them during working hours when weighing a job offer. Nearly 9 in 10 (88 percent) teens surveyed use social networks every day, with 70 percent saying they participate in social networking an hour or more daily. "Kevin's essay demonstrated a holistic understanding of the importance of ethical behavior, and compellingly argued that the value of integrity and a good reputation should trump the short-term gain represented by acing a test," said Jack E. Kosakowski, president and chief executive officer of Junior Achievement USA. "We're pleased to help Kevin continue his education and are proud to work with Deloitte to empower young people with the ethical decision-making tools to face difficult situations with confidence." The "Excellence through Ethics" essay contest is part of Deloitte's $2 million commitment to Junior Achievement to promote ethical decision making among young people. It includes the creation of "JA Business Ethics," an in-classroom ethics program for high school students, and "Excellence through Ethics," a series of free, downloadable ethics lessons for students in grades 4-12 available at www.ja.org/ethics. Business leaders agree that the essay contest is an important teaching vehicle. "The annual JA/Deloitte Ethics Essay Contest is a great opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and decision-making skills to 'real world' situations in which they could easily find themselves," said Ainar D. Aijala, Jr., global managing partner, consulting, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and immediate past chairman of JA Worldwide. "We congratulate Kevin on writing the winning essay and are pleased that the curricula we support has proven beneficial to so many students." Shutzberg, who participated in JA programs throughout high school, added, "I am thrilled to accept the Excellence through Ethics college scholarship to help me continue my education. My long-term goals include pursuing a well-rounded education in engineering and a career that utilizes the entrepreneurial skills I developed through the JA Fellows program. My participation in Junior Achievement these past four years has better prepared me to face the challenges, opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st-century global marketplace." Shutzberg will attend Stanford University this fall, majoring in engineering and applied mathematics, and plans to get his master's degree in business administration upon completing his undergraduate studies. A photo of Kevin Shutzberg is available upon request. Please visit www.ja.org/ethics to read Kevin's winning essay in its entirety. About JA Worldwide® (Junior Achievement) About Deloitte ###
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For Immediate Release:
