Sonoma County Pro-Life

Annual Essay Contest 2023

 

5th ANNUAL ESSAY CONTEST

WE HAVE WINNERS!!!

 

Once again we’re happy to announce the winners of the Sonoma County ProLife Essay Contest.

Sadly, there were no entries in the 3rd  to 5th  grade group.

Our winners in the 6th through 8th grade, and High School competitions are brothers: Paul and Daniel Skandera.
These boys are from a family of 12, and are home schooled.

Paul is in the 6th  grade. His favorite subjects are Math and History, and he likes to read, especially the histories of America’s wars.  He is a 4th generation competitive runner.
Daniel, winner of our High School competition, is also a successful competitive runner, avidly seeking God’s will for his future.

Our 2nd place winner in the 6th through 8th grade is Zoe Hankins who has “one brother, two cats, and a fish.” Her favorite hobby is reading; she also enjoys volleyball and basketball, and plays the piano.  She attends Harvest Christian School, in Petaluma.

Our 2nd place winner in the High School group is Larisa Burch.  She is 16 years old, and attends Victory Christian Academy in Santa Rosa.  She lives with her Dad, Mom, and Grandpa, and the family is Russian Orthodox.  She likes reading, crafting, and spending time with her friends, and hopes to attend Cedarville University.

Congratulations to all these gifted young people, and thanks to all who have entered and supported the Essay Contest.

WHO MAY ENTER?

Any student in Sonoma, Lake or Mendocino Counties in grades 3 to 12 may enter.
Entries will be judged separately by age group, as follows:  Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, High School, grades 9-12

CASH PRIZES!!!

Grades 3-5:  First Prize, $50, Second Prize, $25

Grades 6-8:  First Prize, $75, Second Prize, $50

Grades 9-12:  First Prize, $100, Second Prize, $75

HOW TO ENTER???

Submissions should be submitted by e-mail to sonomaprolife@zoho.com

FORMAT: Please submit essay AND name, school grade, address, phone number and e-mail address in the body of the e-mail (not attachment). Contact information, except for school grade, will be separated from the essay itself before the essays are judged.
Entries should be submitted double spaced and in print size 12 point or larger.
Entries must be received by November 27th, 2023.

JUDGING: Entries will be judged on the basis of factual accuracy, originality, clarity of expression, and conformity with guidelines as to format and length.

WINNERS: First and Second Place winners in each age group will be notified on or before January 3rd, 2024, and announced on the Sonoma County Pro-Life Website on or about January 6th, 2024 and publicly at the Sonoma County Pro-Life Annual Pro-Life Rally.

PRIVACY: Entry in this contest implies permission to publish the name and school of the winners in the Sonoma County Pro-Life Newsletter and on the Sonoma County Pro-Life Website. No other use of any information will be made without the express permission of the parent or guardian of the entrant.

 

ESSAY TOPICS AND LENGTH FOR EACH AGE GROUP ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Grades 3-5:  Write an essay of 200-250 words on either of the following topics.

    1. What can you and your parents do to show that you love babies, and to help their mothers take care of them?

 

  1. Do you have grandparents, or older family friends who can no longer do some of the things you can? Do you know someone who is challenged in some other way -- who can't walk, or can't see, or hear, or speak well? What can you and your family do to include in your life someone "different", so they feel loved and needed?

Grades 6-8:  Write an essay of 300 to 400 words on either of the following topics.

    1. Everyone on earth begins life in his or her mother's womb. Being pro-life means supporting the right of each life to grow, thrive, and experience many good things.  Why is it important for people to be pro-life?

 

  1. Some people are born with problems that make their lives difficult. Others become ill, or are injured. Also, as people get old they may not be able to take care of themselves. These people may feel that their lives don't matter How can you help them to feel wanted, and loved?

Grades 9-12:  Write an essay of 400-500 words on one of the following topics.

    1. Why are you pro-life?  Share a personal story relating either to the life of the unborn or to the life of someone who is old and/or ill.

 

  1. Many people today are confused about what it means to be pro-life.  How can you respectfully share your belief that the life of the unborn should be protected by law?