The Culture of Life Studies Program’s pro-life essay contest began in 2017 and is now held annually during Respect Life Month in October. This year, our contest is cosponsored by the Institute for Excellence in Writing, Contend Projects, and Team Iron Will. CLSP’s essay contest gives children the opportunity to share their knowledge and thoughts about pro-life topics. And it’s a great way for them to win incredible prizes!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 wINNERS!
CATEGORY 1
Elementary School
(3rd – 4th grade)
Write 500 words responding to one of these two prompts.
Identify a Bible verse that teaches the value or dignity of all human beings or that reminds us to protect and cherish one another. Explain what this Bible verse means to you and discuss three concrete ways you can use its inspiration to live out this teaching in your life and help those around you feel valued.
OR
Discuss the basic development of the preborn baby during one of the three trimesters. Give concrete examples of what the baby can do in each stage. Then explain three ways you will teach these truths to your friends.
WINNERS
FIRST PLACE: Elizabeth Hakesley
“Life Is Precious“
$250; Living the Beatitudes lesson download; Biblical Heroes: Stories of Faith and Courage by Mark Hart (signed by the author); Jesus figures (one to keep, some to pass out to others); pro-life saint cards, stickers, and bookmarks; publication on CLSP website
SECOND PLACE: Kateri Rogers
“How I Can Cherish Human Life“
$150; Living the Beatitudes lesson download; Jesus figures (one to keep, some to pass out to others); pro-life saint cards, stickers, and bookmarks; publication on CLSP website
THIRD PLACE: Ellie Girtz
“Before I Formed You“
$75; Jesus figures (one to keep, some to pass out to others); pro-life saint cards, stickers, and bookmarks; publication on CLSP website
HONORABLE MENTION: Tomas Sullivan
“God Knows Us“
$30, publication on CLSP website
CATEGORY 2
Middle School
(5th – 8th grade)
Write 500 words responding to one of these two prompts.
Define moral courage. Explain the importance of moral courage when it comes to defending the life of the vulnerable (preborn baby, the elderly, or those who are sick or have a disability) in today’s world. Give an example of a saint, somebody you know, a pro-life hero of today, or someone from the Bible who has shown moral courage when taking a stand to protect the vulnerable. How did this person teach the people around him or her that all people have value? Finally, explain why you believe it is important for you to educate yourself in pro-life matters and how you will use this person’s example to protect the vulnerable.
OR
Discuss the development of the baby during the first trimester. Explain why it is so important to protect all preborn babies, without exception. Identify two ways that you will work toward the protection of the preborn in your school or community.
WINNERS
FIRST PLACE: Kiersten Cassell
“The Courageous Love of Corrie Ten Boom“
$250; No Greater Love: Saint Maximilian Kolbe lesson download; 100 Saints Every Catholic Teen Should Know by Mark Hart (signed by the author); Jesus figures (one to keep, some to pass out to others); 100% pro-life T-shirt; pro-life saint cards, stickers, and bookmarks; publication on CLSP website
SECOND PLACE: Thomas Pacheco
“Courageous Love“
$150; No Greater Love: Saint Maximilian Kolbe lesson download; 100% pro-life T-shirt; Jesus figures (one to keep, some to pass out to others); pro-life saint cards, stickers, and bookmarks; publication on CLSP website
THIRD PLACE: Fiona Heath
“Choosing Life and Love in All Circumstances“
$75; Jesus figures (one to keep, some to pass out to others); pro-life saint cards, stickers, and bookmarks; publication on CLSP website
HONORABLE MENTION: Ana Boudreaux
“A Life Worth Saving“
$30, publication on CLSP website
CATEGORY 3
High School
(9th – 12th grade)
Write 500 words responding to one of these two prompts.
All people have value from the first moment of creation, yet today, many people believe that aborting preborn babies who might have a disability is a loving or merciful option. Define the true meaning of love and mercy and discuss why taking the life of a preborn baby—regardless of his/her condition—is neither loving nor merciful. Then discuss two concrete ways that you will honor the dignity of preborn babies in your home, school, or community.
OR
Interview someone you know who has a child with Down syndrome or other disability. Talk with them about how the dignity of their child supersedes that child’s abilities. Explain how even medical or developmental difficulties cannot diminish the value of this child.
WINNERS
FIRST PLACE: Shiloh Teeter
“Every Life Has Value“
$250; St. Carlo Acutis: Extraordinary in the Ordinary lesson download; Ask the Bible Geek: Fascinating Answers to Intriguing Questions by Mark Hart (signed by the author); 100% pro-life T-shirt; Jesus figures (one to keep, some to pass out to others); pro-life saint cards, stickers, and bookmarks; publication on CLSP website
SECOND PLACE: Andrew Huang
“Courageously Choosing Life“
$150, St. Carlo Acutis: Extraordinary in the Ordinary lesson download; 100% pro-life T-shirt; Jesus figures (one to keep, some to pass out to others); pro-life saint cards, stickers, and bookmarks; publication on CLSP website
THIRD PLACE: Sean Wolfe
“A Lifesaving Love“
$75, Jesus figures (one to keep, some to pass out to others); pro-life saint cards, stickers, and bookmarks; publication on CLSP website
HONORABLE MENTION: Therese Pammit
“When a Loved One Suffers“
$30, publication on CLSP website
Cosponsored by:
