Newman Society Announces Second Annual Essay Scholarship Contest

By Christoph Hwang (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]The Cardinal Newman Society is pleased to announce its second Annual Essay Scholarship Contest. The winner of the Contest will be awarded $5,000 toward the cost of attending one of the institutions recommended in The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College in the fall of 2018. All of the details about the Contest can be found at this link: https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/recommended-colleges/essay/ The $5,000 scholarship is made possible thanks to the generosity of Joe and Ann Guiffre, supporters of the Newman Society and faithful Catholic education.

“We are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Guiffre for enabling this scholarship,” said Cardinal Newman Society President Patrick Reilly. “They understand the unique value of a truly Catholic education, and they are thrilled to help a student experience all that a Newman Guide-recommended college can provide.” The contest is open to high school seniors in the United States who have signed-up for the Newman Society’s Recruit Me program and use The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College and My Future, My Faith magazine in their college search. The topic for this year’s contest is to reflect, in 500-700 words, on the following question: “How will a faithful Catholic college education prepare you for life?” Essays will judged by how well they demonstrated appreciation for faithful Catholic education, as well as the quality of the writing. Last year, the Newman Society announced Jace Griffith of Idaho Falls High School in Idaho as the winner of the Society’s first annual Essay Scholarship Contest. She received a $5,000 scholarship toward her education at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, in the fall of 2017. Growing up in a community and schools with mostly non-Catholics, Griffith learned to explain and defend her Catholic faith, but she yearned for a Catholic college that forms “ethical and virtuous men and women with their eyes set on the great fullness that only God can give,” she wrote in her winning essay titled “Fullness.” “After all,” Griffith continued in her essay, “I’ve spent enough time struggling to explain why I’m skipping school for ‘a good Friday’ and fending off tissues from well-meaning classmates who noticed the ash smudge on my forehead.” She wrote how she looked forward to a liberal arts curriculum, studying psychology in the “context of human dignity” and being surrounded by young adults with “similar goals and morals.” “Impressed by the unique academics and enamored with communities full of the vibrant, persistent, delighted love of Christ, I trust that faithful Catholic colleges will continue to teach their students the fullness that is real truth and real joy,” she wrote. “I’ve decided I want God to be the center of my life. In the end, it only makes sense to choose a college that wants the same thing.” Read Griffith’s entire essay. Last year, essays were submitted from students in 29 states. Most students attended Catholic schools, but many others attended public schools or were homeschooled. Questions about this year’s Essay Scholarship Contest can be directed to Kelly Salomon, editor of The Newman Guide, at programs@cardinalnewmansociety.org.

Copyright 2018 Kelly Salomon About the author: Kelly Salomon is editor of The Newman Guide and director of membership for The Cardinal Newman Society, which promotes and defends faithful Catholic education.