Morality is a topic often addressed at church, but in daily life, outside the confines of such a structure, the idea usually sits on the backburner.

In a recent essay contest conducted by the Moravia Rotary Club, students were asked to describe how the Rotary Club's Four-Way Test - which is a set of questions used to make moral decisions - affected either the essay writer personally or society in general.

The contest was open to students in ninth through 12th grade who live in the Moravia School District.

Rachael Tissot (pronounced Tee-so') won the contest with her critique on how the Four-Way Test can help society members make moral choices every day.

“Rachel walked off with a lot of awards this year,” said Tom Collins, the club president.

“She's one of the finest people I know. She's a good writer and a good public speaker. Her essay stood out from the other entries. It made my eyes water.”

Collins presented Tissot with a cash award, certificate of recognition and a Four-Way Test plaque May 30 during Tyburn Academy's awards dinner.

Tissot was eligible to enter the contest, even though she is a student at Tyburn Academy in Auburn. Her school's motto, which by coincidence reflects the first test of the Rotary Club's Four-Way Test, is “The truth will set you free,” based on the Gospel of John, Chapter 8.

Jean Hogan, the school principal, spoke highly of Tissot's performance as a student.

“She has been an exceptional participant in the activities here at Tyburn, especially the pro-life movement,” Hogan said. “She's a real advocate for the oppressed and the needy, and she's very mature and focused.”

The Moravia Rotary Club said that her essay “spoke to the need for encouraging honesty in and among the people of the world.” She was able to convey this message by addressing the benefits of allowing people to build each other up, rather than tearing them down. Her essay also spoke of the growth of character and the resulting creation of self-worth and awareness of the needs of all individuals.

Tissot was modest about her achievements, which included winning an oratorical contest earlier this year.

“In March, our school entered a regional, oratorical pro-life contest,” she said of the contest's topic, which is a cause she describes as very important to her.

Tissot and her classmates competed against other area students, and she was named as the first-place winner.

“Then we went on to the state competition,” she said. “I didn't win, but I was a finalist. Miss Mary Schultz (a teacher and administrative assistant at Tyburn) got me involved in the pro-life movement.”

Tissot has also set some of her educational and professional goals.

“After I graduate, I plan to (attend) Cayuga Community College to study English and possibly history,“ she said, then added she'll probably go into teaching or educational administration later on.

Through her future accomplishments, it is apparent she can depend on The Four-Way Test to help her make the most fitting choice possible.