Three judges tackled the formidable task of evaluating more than forty worthy submissions to the 12th annual Pro-Life Essay Contest.
In the senior contest, Amelia Anderson, a homeschooled junior, and Tessa Feldpausch, a junior at Byron Center High School, won first and second place respectively. Due to the number of compelling essays submitted, honorable mention awards were given to Anthony Sassano, a sophomore at Catholic Central High School, and Gabriella George, a homeschooled senior.
Two seventh-grade students won the junior competition. Simeon Boutell from Sacred Heart Academy placed first and Oliver Braspenninx, a homeschooled student, finished in second place. Due to the overwhelming number of well-written essays received, honorable mention awards were given to two more seventh-grade students; Francesca Feldpausch from Byron Center West Middle School and Lucy Braspenninx, a homeschooled student.
Contestants had to write an essay explaining why they were personally pro-life.
In a heartfelt essay, Amelia Anderson discussed her large family.
“Whenever my family goes somewhere, we will often hear, ‘Wow, are they all yours?’ My mom responds with a smile on her face, ‘Yes, they are all mine!’ We don’t all look similar, with different hair and skin colors, and one of my sisters in a wheelchair. But there is more to my family than meets the eye, and God has grown me into the person I am today because of them.”
Tessa Feldpausch wrote about taking a public stand for life at her school.
“My seventh-grade English class had a poetry unit, and at the end of the unit, there was a grade-wide poetry slam. With partners, we were to write about something we cared about, and it was encouraged to be controversial. My idea was the value of humanity; the sanctity of human life. My partner and I performed first at the poetry slam. We were met with silence. I knew my beliefs set me apart.”
Simeon Boutell shared a story about his mother, who gave birth to him amid difficult circumstances.
“My birth mother became pregnant at a very young age of just 13 and had me at 14 years old. At that time, she wasn’t in the best state of mind as she was in juvenile detention so she could learn to stay out of trouble. At such a young age, I imagine it was hard for her to be pregnant because of all of the obstacles she was facing, but somehow through all the challenges, she chose to give me life … to let me live ‘my’ story that God made special for me!”
Oliver Braspenninx revealed how he enjoys spending time with babies.
“I live out what it means to be pro-life by volunteering at a ministry that helps and teaches the children of mothers who have said yes to life. We feed the mothers and children a meal and play with the babies/toddlers while their mothers and older children attend bible study. I feel I am called to support the mothers who have said yes to life, even while facing unplanned pregnancies, by showing up for God’s littlest children and teaching about his love for them.”
The junior division was open to students in grades 7-9 and the senior division involved students in grades 10-12
The winners were awarded monetary prizes, and all essays received were submitted to the National Right to Life competition.