Culture of Life Essay
Overview
The Culture of Life Essay Contest is a Wisconsin State Council program that engages students in grades 7–12 to reflect on and articulate the importance of respecting and defending human life at all stages.
Through this contest, students explore real-life pro-life topics and express, in their own words, how these issues impact their lives, families, and communities. The program encourages critical thinking, moral reflection, and faith-informed discussion, while empowering young people to become advocates for a culture that values every human life.
By partnering with schools, parishes, and families, councils play a vital role in promoting awareness and fostering meaningful dialogue on important life issues.
Point of Contact
Name: Dan Miller
Title: State Life Director
Program Details
Eligibility
- Students in grades 7–12
- Open to all students in Wisconsin:
- Public, private, and homeschool
- All religious backgrounds (or none)
How the Program Works
- Students select one approved pro-life topic and write an original essay explaining:
- Why the topic is important to them
- How it affects their life and community
- How they and others can support the issue
Sample Topics Include
- Protection of life from conception to natural death
- Adoption
- Human trafficking
- Euthanasia
- Disabilities (mental or physical)
- Homelessness
- Drug addiction
- Single mothers
- Refugees/immigrants
- Abortion
- Bullying
Essay Requirements
- Typed, double-spaced on standard paper
- Must include a title (not the topic itself)
- Word count by grade level:
- Grades 7–8: 250–350 words
- Grades 9–10: 350–450 words
- Grades 11–12: 450–600 words
- Must include a works cited page
- Must be original work (no plagiarism or AI-generated content)
- Must include a completed Student Entry Form
Judging Criteria
- Expression of ideas (40 pts)
- Relationship to theme (20 pts)
- Grammar and spelling (20 pts)
- Factual correctness (10 pts)
- Originality (10 pts)
Advancement Structure
- Council → Diocesan → State
- Councils select one winner per grade level
- Winners advance to Diocesan judging
- Diocesan winners advance to State competition
- State-level judging determines final placements
Timeline
- January – March: Promotion and essay writing
- March 20–31: Councils collect and judge entries
- April 10: Deadline for council winners submitted to Diocesan level
- April 15: Dealine for council Participation Report due
- April 30: Deadline for diocesan winners submitted to State
- May 10: Diocesan winners announced
- May 15: State winners announced
- May (State Convention): Recognition and display of winning essays