The Culture of Life Studies Program’s annual pro-life essay contest began in 2017 and is now held annually during Respect Life Month in October. Cosponsored by the Institute for Excellence in Writing, this contest, traditionally for middle schoolers and older, 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!
The contest is now closed. Winners will be notified on December 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas!
2024 Essay PROMPTS
Middle School
Every baby is an unrepeatable miracle whose life begins at the moment the sperm fertilizes the egg. Each has a soul and is created by God, and when we talk with others about this baby, it helps to shine a light on her uniqueness. Choose one stage of a preborn baby’s development (first trimester, second, or third). Explain the development in this stage (what the baby can do, what he looks like, etc.). Then address three concrete ways you can help others see the humanity of the baby in this stage.
Write 500 words responding to the essay prompt. Have your parent, legal guardian, or teacher submit your essay using this form.
If you have any issues submitting your essay using the form, you can email it directly to clsp@all.org.
Deadline: November 4, 2024, 11:59pm Pacific
PRIZES
FIRST PLACE: $250, The Beauty of the Developing Human Being, publication in Celebrate Life Magazine, publication on CLSP website, pro-life goodies, 100% pro-life T-shirt, Our Lady of Guadalupe one decade rosary for the preborn
SECOND PLACE: $150, The Beauty of the Developing Human Being, publication on CLSP website, pro-life goodies, Our Lady of Guadalupe one decade rosary for the preborn
THIRD PLACE: $75, The Beauty of the Developing Human Being, publication on CLSP website, pro-life goodies
HONORABLE MENTION: $25, publication on CLSP website
High School
Human beings are unique, special, and unrepeatable miracles of God created in His image. Choose one pro-life topic (abortion, IVF, euthanasia, etc.) and explain what it is, why it is a threat to human beings, and how, in your school or community, you will speak out against this practice, defend the vulnerable, and teach the value of every person.
Write 500 words responding to the essay prompt. Have your parent, legal guardian, or teacher submit your essay using this form.
If you have any issues submitting your essay using the form, you can email it directly to clsp@all.org.
Deadline: November 4, 2024, 11:59pm Pacific
PRIZES
FIRST PLACE: $250, St. Ignatius: Cura Personalis, publication in Celebrate Life Magazine, publication on CLSP website, pro-life goodies, 100% pro-life T-shirt, Our Lady of Guadalupe one decade rosary for the preborn
SECOND PLACE: $150, St. Ignatius: Cura Personalis, publication on CLSP website, pro-life goodies, Our Lady of Guadalupe one decade rosary for the preborn
THIRD PLACE: $75, St. Ignatius: Cura Personalis, publication on CLSP website, pro-life goodies
HONORABLE MENTION: $25, publication on CLSP website
2024 Contest Rules
Submissions must be the original and previously unpublished work of the student.
- Use only your own work; plagiarism is not tolerated.
- Only one entry permitted per contestant.
- Only essays that respond to the essay prompt will be considered.
- The contest is open to students in grades 5-12.
- All essays must be submitted by a parent, legal guardian, or teacher.
- All submissions become the sole property of American Life League’s Culture of Life Studies Program, which reserves the right to edit submissions for publication.
- We accept electronic submissions only; you can submit your entry below. If you have any trouble, let us know and we’ll help.
- Use the appropriate Google form to submit all contact information: High School | Middle School
- Deadline: November 4, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. We will notify contestants of the results during the month of December 2024.
- If you are a school submitting a large number of essays, please contact us; we can help you submit all essays as one large document.
540-659-4171
clsp@all.org
Cosponsored by the Institute for Excellence in Writing!
2024 Essay Format
- Center the essay title at the top of the first page.
- Double space all text.
- All text must be 12 pt. font, and Times New Roman is preferred.
- Outside sources are optional and do not increase a student’s chance of winning. Visit https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html for more information about how to use MLA citations in the body of the essay as well as on a Works Cited page.