ESSAY CONTEST

Senior Division – Grades 10-12

Junior Division – Grades 7-9

 

First Place $250 – Second Place $150 – Third Place $100 (Prizes awarded in each division)

 

The winners in each division will automatically be entered into the 2026 National Right to Life Essay Contest.

 

Submission Guidelines:

 

Essays should address this question: Why am I pro-life?

 

(1) Essays must be submitted to: Rhode Island Right to Life, PO Box 28285, Providence, RI 02908. Essays must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 31, 2025. No electronic submissions will be accepted.

 

(2) Essays must be 350-475 words, double-spaced, use no smaller than a 12 point font, and have page numbers.

 

(3) Essays must include a cover sheet that includes; full name, full address, phone number, grade level and school, student date of birth, parent’s name, and word count. The pages of the Essay must not include identifying information. Please do not include artwork, pictures or plastic covers.

 

(4) Essays should be written for a general and non-sectarian readership. Thus a “technical” statement of law, science, or religious doctrine should be accompanied by a brief explanation of its source, meaning and relevance. Moreover, quotations and significant statements of fact should be cited.

 

(5) By submitting an entry the contestant and parent agree: (a) to allow Rhode Island Right to Life and National Right to Life to reprint the winning essay, (b) that the essay is the original work of the student but not copyrighted, and (c) that the essay has not been submitted to any other state or national contest.

 

(6) Winners will be notified during the second week of January, 2026 and will be announced during our Ash Wednesday, February 18th Rally at the Rhode Island State House, at which event they will also be invited to say a few words. The winning entries will be submitted by Rhode Island Right to Life to the 2026 National Right to Life Essay Contest.

 

(7) Essays will be judged on Completeness (25%), Content and Accuracy (50%), and Originality/Creativity/ Impact (25%), according to the following rubric.