WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE?

All pro-life middle school students (6th - 8th grade) and high school students (9th - 12th grade) in Houston or its surrounding cities are eligible to compete for this scholarship. Only one submission per student is allowed. By entering this contest, you confirm that the essay submission is your own original creation.


WHAT ARE THE AWARDS?

The 1st place winner of the middle school division and the high school division will each be awarded with a $1,000 scholarship. The 2nd place winner of the middle school division and the high school division will each be awarded with a $500 scholarship.

GENERAL RULES:

1. Contestants must compose their work with limited guidance from others.
2. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate, write, or rewrite any portion of an essay is strictly prohibited. Any essay found to violate this rule will be disqualified.
3. Houston Coalition for Life will have the right to edit, publish, or otherwise duplicate work entered into the contest without payment to the creator.

CONTEST RULES:

1. Each entry must include the contestant's name, grade, school/church, and the email and phone number of a teacher/parent.
2. Essays must include at least 500 words but no more than 1,000 words. This does not include the title, bibliography, endnotes, or footnotes.
3. Any quotations or copyrighted material used in an essay must be identified properly.

JUDGING:

Members of Generation Vitae, Houston Coalition for Life's young adult group, will score each submission on a scale from 1 - 10 on these factors:
1. Interpretation of the topic (Why Every Human Life Deserves Protection)
2. Level of originality and/or creativity
3. Quality of the piece

HOW TO ENTER:

Submit essay entries by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line "Learn for Life Scholarship Contest" by 4:00 PM on February 18, 2027. Please indicate whether the submission is for the middle school or high school division. For questions, please call (713) 395-1330 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NOTIFICATION OF THE WINNERS:

Contest winners will be notified by April 1st, 2027 and will be presented their award at the Houston Coalition for Life's Annual Benefit Dinner on April 23rd, 2027.

DOWNLOAD A FLIER AND SHARE WITH YOUR CHURCH AND/OR SCHOOL.