Entries sought for Respect for Life youth contest

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Diocese of Salt Lake City's Respect for Life ministry is offering the “I Am Wonderfully Made” contest to increase awareness of the sanctity of life.

The contest presents several different ways to think about life before birth, said Catherine Stokes, chairperson of the diocesan Respect for Life Commission, which is presenting the contest.

“This contest is to celebrate our unique dignity as human beings; that belongs to all of us as children of God,” she said.

The contest, open to students in the fifth through eighth grades, “is also to celebrate the wonder of a tiny human being, and the miracle of life as we grow and progress along our path to God,” she said.

Now more than ever, young people need to be aware of the importance of the culture of life and to respect each other’s differences because every life is precious, she said.

“We are all made in the divine image. Each one of us has incredible value in the eyes of God. Our dignity begins at the moment of our creation because we are all children of God,” Stokes said.

The contest invites youth to enter artwork or creative writing. There are two categories: one for fifth- and sixth- graders and one for seventh- and eighth graders. In each category, three prizes will be awarded for artwork submissions and three for poems/short stories (300 word maximum).

Judges will be members of the Respect for Life Commission in the Salt Lake area. Winning entries will show respect for human life, exhibit an understanding of the theme, show creativity and reflect artistic skill.

Deadline is March 31. Winners will be notified by April 25. For information, visit https://www.dioslc.org/respect-for-life/youth-contest.