The Elsie Alexander Pro-Life Essay Scholarship

Purpose of the scholarship

To encourage young people to:

• Learn more about the pro-life movement.
• Reward involvement in pro-life activities.
• Participate in voluntary activities in their school, church and/or community.
• Become discerning of society’s values.

The scholarship contest rules

Essay (75%)

2027 essay question: As Canada continues to expand access to Medical Assistance in Dying, how should our society balance an individual’s desire for personal autonomy with our responsibility to protect vulnerable people and uphold the inherent value of every human life?

In your essay, examine Canada’s ongoing debate over MAID and mental illness, particularly whether MAID should ever be available when mental illness is a person’s sole underlying medical condition. Consider questions such as:

• What limits, if any, should be placed on personal autonomy when the decision results in the intentional and irreversible ending of human life?
• How should society respond to a person who believes his or her suffering makes life no longer worth living?
• Is providing death a compassionate response to suffering, or should our primary responsibility be to provide treatment, hope, protection, and care?

From a pro-life perspective, discuss what it means to affirm the dignity and value of every human being from conception until natural death and explain how this principle should shape Canada’s response to mental illness, suffering, disability, and end-of-life care. Support your position with research, evidence, and thoughtful consideration of opposing viewpoints.

Present your argument as a proposal in essay format. The essay must be the original and unaided work (no use of AI) of the student and must be 1400–1500 words typed, double-spaced, and have the title, name of the student and school on the title page. It must be well organized, demonstrate clarity, sensitivity, flow of thought, and present factual information with the appropriate documentation (cite all sources using APA, MLA, or Turabian [Chicago] style).

Self-profile and references (25%)

1. Submit a self-profile (200–400 words) that describes your interest and involvement in pro-life activities and other voluntary activities.
2. Obtain one letter of reference. Your reference letter should be from someone who is not related to you and has observed or is aware of your involvement in pro-life activities (as stated in your self-profile). You can attach the reference to your application or they can email it directly to us at lethprolife@gmail.com.

Eligibility

• The entrant must be a student in his/her graduating year at a high school and living in the administrative region of Lethbridge and District Pro-Life.
• Must be in full-time attendance at a post-secondary institution in the fall.
• Entry deadline: May 15.
• Children of staff or the board of directors of Lethbridge and District Pro-Life are not eligible.

Administration of the scholarship

The board of Lethbridge and District Pro-Life Association will administer the contest and constitute the panel of judges. They may also task a sub-committee with members outside of the board as required.

Entries will be judged after the deadline has passed and the winner(s) will be informed prior to the Hike for Life.

Rights to essays submitted

Lethbridge and District Pro-Life Association retains the copyright to any essay submitted for the contest and the right to publish it for non-profit purposes. The author will be acknowledged in any publication or other use of the essay.