TORONTO, September 13, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – For the past eleven years the Father Ted Colleton Scholarship program has challenged high school students to express their views on life and family issues by writing an essay for a chance to win cash prizes.
Co-sponsored by The Interim, Canada’s life and family newspaper, and Niagara Region Right to Life, the Father Ted Colleton Scholarship program has drawn more than 700 contestants over the years, and attracted young people to learn about pro-life issues, the pro-life movement, and how to get more actively involved.
“The candidates make their schools and families proud. They invariably are outstanding students, not just academically, but in their involvement in school and community life,” says Dan Di Rocco, a retired high school principal and co-ordinator of the scholarship program.
“The young are brave, outspoken and quite eloquent in the way they express their convictions,” he added.
The 2012-13 program is open to students in grades 11 and 12 from Canada and around the world, with prizes of $1500, $800 and $500.
Contestants must submit (preferably by email to [email protected]) a typed original essay on the year’s topic, approximately 800-1000 words in length, with 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 essay component must be submitted in either the English or French language.
The topic of this year’s contest is: “Effective witness in the public square requires a new focus on what is important to young people. What can be done to convince young people, your peer group, that ‘the life issues are not only genuine social-justice issues; but they are the priority social-justice issues’?”
The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2012.
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, 2013.
Helpful hints for the essay writing component, as well as samples of previous winning essays on a variety of topics, and details regarding application and timelines may be found at The Interim’s website.
For further information contact Dan Di Rocco at 416-204-1687 or by email at [email protected].
Mailed submissions should be sent to:
Father Ted Colleton Scholarship
104 Bond Street, Suite 306
Toronto, ON M5B 1X9