Marian Essay Contest
The annual Marian Essay Contest was established through The Catholic Foundation’s Father Frank X. Zammit Endowment Fund to provide students with the opportunity to deepen their devotion to the Blessed Mother and better understand their own role as disciples and stewards of God’s grace. This year, a record-breaking 448 faith-filled entries were submitted from middle school students expressing their thoughts on how we can be pilgrims of hope and trust God, like Mary. The Marian Essay Contest is open to 5th-8th grade students enrolled in a diocesan Catholic School, Parish Faith Formation or Youth Ministry Program. The author of the winning essay receives a $1,000 scholarship award which can be used for Catholic school tuition, domestic mission trips, San Pedro retreats and/or to donate to the diocesan parish, school or ministry of their choice! An award is also be given to the top 7/8th grade essay and 5/6th grade essay as chosen from the remaining entries.
Contest entries combined Catholic scripture, history, reflection and personal testimony. This year’s 1st place winner, Adam R., is an 8th grade student at Holy Family Catholic School in Orlando.
Adam reflected on the theme: Mary, a Pilgrim of Hope: Mary trusted God, even when it was hard, and never lost hope, even when her Son was crucified. Can you think of a time when you had to trust God during a difficult situation? How did your faith help you stay hopeful, and how can you be a witness of hope to others?
“Mary’s unending and constant faith reminds me that even in the darkest times, God is always present. Her journey as a pilgrim of hope has encouraged me to continue trusting in God’s plan, even when it is difficult for me to comprehend. My experience with loss has taught me that hope is not about avoiding hardships, but about facing them with faith. By holding on to that hope, I can be a source of light for others, just as Mary has been for me.”
This year’s submissions were simply outstanding and after review the following top place entries were selected along with fourteen Honorable Mentions:
Overall 1st Place: Adam R., Holy Family Catholic School
Click Here to read Adam’s essay
Top 7th/8th Grade Entry: Caroline B., St. James Cathedral School
Top 5th/6th Grade Entry: Camila R., Holy Redeemer Catholic School
Honorable Mentions:
Ava A., Holy Family Catholic School
Eleanor A., St. Mary Catholic School
David D., Holy Family Catholic School
Kehano L., St. James Cathedral School
Thalia L., Resurrection Catholic School
Katie M., Good Shepherd Catholic School
Sophie M., Holy Family Catholic School
Maggie M., Sacred Heart Catholic School
Jessica N., Annunciation Catholic School
Bernadette O., St. Paul Catholic School
Hannah R., Holy Family Catholic School
Emma S., Resurrection Catholic School
Sahara U., Resurrection Catholic School
Cathie Z., Resurrection Catholic School
Marian Essay Contest entries go through 3 stages of reviewing:
- Preliminary: Did the entry meet the basic requirements and was it relatively free of major errors.
- Review Committee: Entries were then scored by two of our review committee members.
- Finalist: The top entries from each reviewing group were then ranked by the Secretariats of Education and Laity, Family and Life as well as the Interim CEO of The Catholic Foundation.
The Catholic Foundation engaged a diverse group of panelists representing many perspectives of our faith family, including clergy, religious, and Catholic lay leaders to serve on the Marian Essay Contest Review Committee:
Sr. Maria Teresa Acosta, SCTJM – Executive Assistant to Bishop Noonan
Deacon Darrell Buono – Theology Teacher, Melbourne Central Catholic High School
Elizabeth Cook – Dean of Campus Ministry and Religion Teacher, Trinity Catholic High School
Lynda Dennis – Executive Committee Member Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle, The Catholic Foundation
Jeannette Eddy – Director of Philanthropy, The Catholic Foundation
Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P. – Director of Adult Faith Formation, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church
Diana Garcia – Development Manager, Catholic Charities of Central Florida
Sr. Gianna Grace, SCTJM – Associate Director of Vocations
JP Kuhlman – Director of Mission Effectiveness, Bishop Moore Catholic High School
Wendy Mara – Board and Planned Giving Advisory Council Member, The Catholic Foundation
Christine McNerney – Theology Teacher, Melbourne Central Catholic High School
Dana Johnston – English/Media Teacher, Melbourne Central Catholic High School
Lana Kaczmarek – Digital Communications Manager, Diocese of Orlando
Katherine Laguna – Director of Communications, Diocese of Orlando
Daniel McGowan – Religion Teacher, Santa Fe Catholic High School
Clara Melo de Paula – Services and Communications Coordinator, The Catholic Foundation
Fr. Phillip Mills – Parochial Vicar, St. James Cathedral
John Molloy – Director of Faith Formation, Diocese of Orlando
Luis Nieves – Director of Pastoral Ministry, Diocese of Orlando
Kelly Ordonez – Vice Chair of Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle, The Catholic Foundation
Matthew Pineda – Board and Planned Giving Advisory Council Member, The Catholic Foundation
Chris Rivera – Youth and Young Adult Ministry Director, Diocese of Orlando
Maria Scarbino – Director of Spiritual Development, Bishop Moore Catholic High School
Cody Schlabach – Religion and Christology Teacher, Santa Fe Catholic High School
Randall Scott – Board Member, The Catholic Foundation
Lori Tolland – Board Member/Chair of Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle, The Catholic Foundation
More information
The Marian Contest is administered through the Father Frank X. Zammit Endowment Fund at The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida in conjunction with the Secretariat of Education and Secretariat of Laity, Family and Life.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Oliveras at (407) 246-7177