NORTH FORSYTH —An essay by Chandler Kelley, a senior at North Forsyth High School, was chosen from among 42,000 entries as the state winner of the Laws of Life contest.

The contest, for which Chandler will receive $1,000, challenged students to reflect on core values such as perseverance, generosity, courage and compassion, rewarding students who are “willing to take a stand for their beliefs.”