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2007 Essay Contest Rules
Homeschoolers for Life is announcing the second annual Homeschoolers Pro-
Life Essay Contest. Homeschooled students between the ages of 8 and 17 are
eligible to enter this pro-life essay contest. Essays must be postmarked by
December 15, 2007 and winners will be announced on Monday, January 22,
2007.

Senior Writers
Ages 15 to 17
Because children participating in the senior essay category are close to the legal
voting age, it is our hope that this year’s essay contest topic will help them
formulate and cement their ideas as they become ready to exercise their voting
privilege for the first time.

“When presented with a field of imperfect candidates, what factors, moral and
political, should prolifers take into consideration before voting in order to not
violate their consciences?”

Stake out a position and defend it in an original essay between 900 and 1200
words in length.

First Place Winner $150 cash and $100 in pro-life gear (t-shirts, hoodies, caps,
backpack, stickers, etc.) from American Life League (www.prolifegear.com)

Second Place Winner $100 cash and $100 in pro-life gear (t-shirts, hoodies,
caps, backpack, stickers, etc) from American Life League (www.prolifegear.com)

Third Place Winner $75.00 cash and $75 in pro-life gear (t-shirts, hoodies, caps,
backpack, stickers, etc) from American Life League (www.prolifegear.com)

Honorable Mention Two essays will be chosen for the Honorable Mention
category, and the authors will each receive a $50 cash prize.

Junior Writers
Ages 12 to 14

Junior writers will compose an original essay of between 700 and 1000 words
(typed and double-spaced) on the following topic:

“God gives each person many gifts. How can you live your life in a way that
honors the gifts God gave you? ”

First Place Winner $100 cash and $100 in pro-life gear (t-shirts, hoodies, caps,
backpack, stickers, etc) from American Life League (www.prolifegear.com)

Second Place Winner   $75 cash and $75 in pro-life gear (t-shirts, hoodies, caps,
backpack, stickers, etc) from American Life League (www.prolifegear.com)

Third Place Winner   $50 cash and $50 in pro-life gear (t-shirts, hoodies, caps,
backpack, stickers, etc) from American Life League (www.prolifegear.com)

Honorable Mention Two Essays will be chosen for the Honorable Mention
category, and the authors will each receive a $25 cash prize.

Primary Writers
Ages 8 to 11

Primary writers will compose an original essay of between 500 and 800 words
(typed and double-spaced) on the following topic:

“God gives each person many gifts. How can you live your life in a way that
honors the gifts God gave you? ”

First Place Winner   $100 cash and $100 in pro-life gear (t-shirts, hoodies, caps,
backpack, stickers, etc) from American Life League (www.prolifegear.com)

Second Place Winner $75 cash and $75 in pro-life gear (t-shirts, hoodies, caps,
backpack, stickers, etc) from American Life League (www.prolifegear.com)

Third Place Winner   $50 cash and $50 in pro-life gear (t-shirts, hoodies, caps,
backpack, stickers, etc) from American Life League (www.prolifegear.com)

Honorable Mention   Two essays will be chosen for the Honorable Mention
category, and the authors will each receive a $25 cash prize.

Essays will be divided among the judges (selected by Homeschoolers for Life)
who will evaluate them on grammar, style, content and persuasiveness. Each
judge will select three essays (semi-finalists). All judges will receive a copy of the
semi-finalists' essays and select the finalists by a vote. All decisions are final.

Essays must be typed, double spaced in 12 point Times New Roman font and
include a cover sheet stating the author’s name, age, mailing address and email
address (phone number is optional). Essays must be postmarked by December
15, 2007. A donation of $5.00 per essay would be gratefully accepted to help
fund the awards and defray the cost of the essay contest.

Please mail essays to:

  Homeschoolers For Life
  P.O. Box 273
  Kilmarnock, VA 22482