Newman Society Announces Third Annual Essay Scholarship Contest

The Cardinal Newman Society is pleased to announce its third 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 in the fall of 2019. All of the details about the Contest can be found at this link: https://newmansoc.org/EssayContest 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, explore the Newman Society’s tips for navigating the college search, and check out the recommended colleges in The Newman Guide during their college search. The topic for this year’s contest is to reflect, in 500-700 words, on the following question: “From academics to student activities to residence life, what makes a faithful Catholic college attractive to you?” Essays will judged by how well they demonstrate appreciation for faithful Catholic education, as well as the quality of the writing. Last year, the Newman Society announced Sarah Niblock of St. Pius X Catholic High School in Kansas City, Missouri, as the winner of the Society’s second annual Essay Scholarship Contest. She received a $5,000 scholarship toward her education at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California, in the fall of 2018. In her winning essay, Niblock related how she faced challenging questions from well-meaning family members and friends about the value of attending a faithful Catholic college. After finding the answers, Niblock was eager to join a campus where she is confident she will find Jesus, Who is the “Way, the Truth, and the Life.” She described her visit to a faithful Catholic college campus:

I watch as dozens of students appear from dorm rooms and classrooms, hurrying to Mass on a Wednesday afternoon… …I listen to a freshman class discuss how to logically discover the validity of an argument… …I overhear conversations between students, telling each other how former alumni have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, priests, sisters, engineers, and missionaries.

The spiritual life offerings, academic environment, and overall formation provided by a faithful Catholic college convinced Niblock of its value. Niblock’s entire essay can be read here. Last year, essays were submitted from students in 40 states. Most attended Catholic schools, about 30 percent were homeschooled, and the remainder attended public schools. Students who participated in the contest applied to every U.S. residential college that is recommended in The Newman Guide, plus Holy Apostles and the University of Navarra in Spain. Questions about this year’s Essay Scholarship Contest can be directed to Kelly Salomon, director of Newman Guide programs, at Programs@CardinalNewmanSociety.org.