With precocious eloquence, Youth Apostles Pro-Life Multimedia Contest participant Clare Doherty in her spoken word entry captured the essence of the theme of the most recent contest: “What Commitment to the Unborn Means.”

Youth throughout the Diocese of Arlington expressed their commitment to respect for and protection of unborn human life in the recent contest. They competed in six media: essays, posters, PowerPoints, memes, spoken word, and videos. There were 232 participants across all categories.

Youth Apostles has held essay contests since 1993, and poster contests since 1999. Since 2021, new categories have gradually been added for the two divisions, senior (grades 9-12) and junior (grades 7 and 8). 

Clear and Unequivocal 

As always, the participants evinced a deep understanding of the sanctity of human life and were articulate in conveying their points — and created beautiful art in communicating their message. More importantly, they provide a ray of real hope that succeeding generations will meet the challenges of protecting and respecting life, both now and in the future. 

Youth have the ability to cut through the equivocation in which adults so often are mired, and that clarity is reflected in Cecelia Duncan’s first place essay. 

Anything and everything God creates is sacred — but humans’ new life in particular need to be protected. My goal is not just to make abortion illegal, but unthinkable.

Juliet Marrone in her second place essay struck a similar tone: 

God put everyone on this earth for a reason. Getting pregnant unintentionally does not justify taking the life of another; it’s not what the Catholic Church professes. Everyone has an obligation to sacrifice their life for their child. At the end of the day, it is always better to sacrifice your well-being for others. The rainbow at the end of the storm is worth going through all of the hardships. 

Call to Action 

Duncan issues a clarion call in the effort to support unborn human life: 

They always say time changes things, but really you have to change them yourself. Be the one who tells someone who is thinking about abortion that it’s not right. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.

“We should know that all human life is worth it,” concluded spoken word first place winner Maureen Ojeda. 

Can there be a better way to communicate the pro-life message?