Archbishop O’Hara High School

Catholic Schools Week 2010 Essay Contest

All students will write an essay addressing this prompt:

  Considering all aspects of the Archbishop O’Hara High School curriculum – faith, service, community and learning –  and our emphasis on the virtue of  Hope, explain how Catholic education is helping you live your personal call to be a follower of Jesus and to make yourself and the world more holy. Use specific, concrete examples to illustrate your points.

Essays should be typed, double-spaced in a 12 point font with one-inch margins (MLA Style.)  Essays should be at least 250 words in length and no longer than 1000 words. Your student number should be used in place of your name on the paper.

Essays are due to your Theology teacher at the beginning of class January 27.  Students will receive completion points in Theology class for the essay.

Essays will be read and scored by three AOHS teachers in three areas: writing proficiency; content and ideas; voice and insight.  The top five essays at each grade level will advance to a second reading and scoring.  From this group of twenty essays, five will be chosen as finalists.  All five finalists will be recognized on the AOHS webpage.

The five final essays will be submitted to a committee of diocesan officials for scoring.  The top essay will be published on the AOHS webpage and the writer of the essay will receive a $100 prize. 

In the case of a tie, two $50 awards will be given.