8th Grade Essay Contest - Diocese of Covington

Pro-Life Office 8th Grade Essay Contest

2025-2026 School Year

2025-2026 Theme

The topic for the essay is as follows:

“How important it is that each and every baptized person feel himself or herself called by God to be a sign of hope in the world today.” Pope Leo XIV

These words of our new pope challenge us to reach out to those in our society today who are experiencing hopelessness and emptiness: women facing unexpected pregnancies, those with serious or terminal illnesses, the handicapped and those with mental illness, the elderly, the homeless, the immigrant, and many others. The essence of the Catholic Church’s Pro Life Movement considers how precious are the lives of these and all God’s children.

When we take the time to truly look into the face of someone experiencing a devastating absence of hope, we see the opportunity God offers us to help relieve their pain and suffering. He challenges us to be a witness to His love and compassion to all the world.

In your essay, address the following two points:

-Support and explain why the Catholic Church’s pro-life stance of respecting and protecting all life from conception to natural death is a reflection of Jesus’ teachings.

-Describe how you, a young person, can be a sign of hope to those experiencing hopelessness and emptiness, and how you can inspire others to do likewise.

Essay Guidelines

Essays are judged on a 60-point scale with each of the following worth 10 points:

Relationship to topic. Must address essay topic.
Proper use of quotations about the sanctity of life. Must have one or more quotes from Sacred Scripture and one or more quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Additional quotes may also be used. (Please include a bibliography page)
Accuracy of facts.
Originality and creativity.
(Does the essay form and express reasonable opinions?)

It is suggested that materials be presented, and essays started during October (Respect Life Month).
Length: 300-750 words; show word count at end of essay. Essays must be typed, double-spaced and printed on 8 ½ by 11 paper. Do not write student’s name directly on the essay, no titles on the page.
A completed entry form must be paper-clipped (no tape or staples) to all essays when submitted to the Pro-Life Office. If the essay is more than one page, please staple the pages together, then paper-clip the entry form to the essay.
A maximum of 15 essays per school please.
Mail or drop off entries to the Diocese of Covington Pro-Life Office, 1125 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY Entry deadline Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
All finalists will be notified in February and invited to an awards banquet that will be held March 2026.

Teachers who have questions may contact the Pro-Life Office at (859) 392-1545.

Entry Form

Click Here to Download the Form

Paul Campion Briggs The Campaign of Mercy The Truth About Abortion and Women’s Health Care