News

By Thaddeus M. Baklinski

TORONTO, September 1, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – For the past nine years The Interim newspaper and Niagara Region Right to Life have been co-sponsoring the Father Ted Colleton Scholarship program. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage young people to learn about pro-life issues, the pro-life movement, and to become actively involved in its programs.

The 2010-2011 contest is open to Grade 11 and 12 high school students not only in Canada, but also to any English-language student around the world, with prizes of $1500, $800 and $500.

Contestants must submit a typed original essay on this year's theme topic, approximately 800-1000 words in length, one letter of reference from a school staff member or community representative, and a brief self-profile outlining participation in school life/community activities and a description of their interest and/or involvement in the pro-life cause.

The theme of this year's contest is: “‘Dishonest language leads to dishonest debate and bad laws.’ (Archbishop C. Chaput of Denver) Why and how is that a serious problem when dealing with the abortion issue?”

The topics have varied over the years, but they have always challenged students to think more deeply about pro-life issues and to write about them logically.

Helpful hints for the essay writing component, as well as samples of previous winning essays on a variety of topics, are posted on The Interim website.

The prizes are awarded following an evaluation process conducted by a committee that assesses the essay-writing component. Letters of reference and a demonstrated commitment to pro-life are also elements of the contest. The winners will be declared by January 31, 2011.

Dan Di Rocco, The Interim’s circulation manager and the coordinator of the Father Ted Colleton Scholarship Program, commented on the high caliber of not only the essays that have been submitted over the years, but of the extraordinary young people that have participated in the contest.

“What has struck me over the years is not so much the formidable writing abilities of the candidates, but rather their remarkable personal profiles and references written on their behalf,” Di Rocco said.

“I feel privileged in being able to read not only their essays, but also these self-profiles that reveal so much about them as young pro-life Canadians. They make one proud of their families, schools and teachers.”

The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2010.

Application package, preferably by email or postmarked no later than November 30, must be submitted by email to:
[email protected]
or mailed to:
Father Ted Colleton Scholarship
104 Bond Street, Suite 306
Toronto, ON M5B 1X9

The online application form and brochure is available on The Interim website.