ALL ENTRIES DUE APRIL 29, 2023
You may view or download a PDF of all materials related to the 2023 UOL Essay Contest as shown directly below.
2023 UOL Essay Contest Topics
Pre-K and Kindergarten: Draw a picture of the ocean and some things that God made that are in the ocean.
Grades 1 and 2: Draw a picture of you praying to God and then write 2 to 3 sentences on some things for which you pray.
Grades 3 and 4: Write 50 – 100 words on how we should prepare for confession in order to receive forgiveness or absolution from our sins.
Grades 5 and 6: During morning prayers we ask God, “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew in me a spirit of truth.” Write 100 to 150 words on what this means to you and why it is important to begin our day saying this prayer.
Grades 7 and 8: Write 150 to 200 words on the following topic. Through the Bible, God tells how He wants us to live, and the choices He wants us to make. Choose a Bible story that clearly illustrates this to you and tell why you chose that particular story.
Grades 9 and 10: Write 200 to 250 words on the following topic. Making the choices that Christ wants us to make can be hard sometimes. Tell of a time your faith in Christ showed you the correct path and lit the way to make a tough decision easier.
Grades 11 and 12: Please write 250 to 500 words explaining the following. At the end of evening prayers we say “My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, and my shelter is the Holy Spirit. Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.”
Adults 18 and over: Write 500 or more words explaining the following. Psalm 51 talks about making sacrifices to God. “For Thou hast no delight in sacrifice, were I to give a burnt offering, Thou wouldst not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.”
This year’s contest deadline is April 29th so get started!
CLICK HERE TO DOWN LOAD ESSAY TOPICS
CONTEST RULES & GUIDELINES
- Entries must be postmarked by April 29, 2023.
- NO NAMES ON THE FRONT OF ANY ENTRY.
- All entries must include the following information: (PLEASE USE THE COVER PAGE SUPPLIED)
- Participant’s first and last name
- Age and grade in school
- The name and address of participant’s parish, including city and state
- Drawings must be no larger than 12 x 18 and NO names on the front of drawing. Please attach a COVER PAGE or use the BACK of the drawing for the information listed above. All drawings MUST be mailed.
- Written entries must be on 8 ½” x 11” paper. Include a cover page with the identifying information listed above. Entries for 9th grade and above must be typed or printed.
- Emailed entries must be scanned in and emailed, DO NOT TAKE PHOTOS OF ENTRIES AND SEND THEM, THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO READ AND WILL NOT BE JUDGED. Emailed entries must be time stamped no later than 11:59 PM of the deadline date.
Entries may be submitted in English or Ukrainian.
ALL ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED FOR CONTENT, CREATIVITY AND NEATNESS.
Please send entries to
Teresa Linck: 413 Juniper Lane, Cheshire, CT 06410
Teresa Linck at: tlinck.essays@gmail.com
2021 UOL ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
Information is located in UOL Bulletin. In process of being typed up for the website.
Please print all 3 documents
1. 2020 Essay Contest Cover Page CLICK HERE
2. 2020 Essay Contest Topics CLICK HERE
3. 2020 Essay Contest Guidelines and Rules CLICK HERE
Pre –K and Kindergarten: In the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were the first man and woman created by God. They lived in a beautiful garden paradise that God made for them called the Garden of Eden. Draw a picture of what you think the Garden of Eden looked like.
Grades 1 and 2: In the Book of Genesis, God told Noah that there would be a great flood and that he should build an ark, take his family, and collect two of each animal, one male and one female. Noah did as he was told. Draw a picture of Noah’s ark with all the animals, then write 2 to 4 sentences on how Noah’s family kept the faith and prayed to God during the flood.
Grades 3 and 4: The 6th Commandment says: “Honor your father and your mother…” (Exodus 20:12). Write 50 to 75 words on why you think God made a point of reminding us that we need to honor our mothers and fathers and how we as Orthodox Christians show our faith by honoring our fathers and mothers.
Grades 5 and 6: In the book Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament is says “It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay” (5:4-6). Write 75 to 125 words on how this verse affects how you live your faith and interact with those around you every day.
Grades 7 and 8: The 3rd Commandment says: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in Vain…” (Exodus 20:7). When we send text messages and emails, we constantly use the phrase “OMG”. Do you think this is taking the name of the Lord in vain, why or why not? Write 100 to 150 words defending your position.
Grades 9 and 10: The last verse in the Book of Ecclesiastes says, “Fear God and keep his Commandments, for this is the whole man. For God will bring every work into judgement, including everything that has been overlooked, whether it be good or evil.” (12:14) Write 175 to 225 on how you walk the Orthodox faith and include God in every action throughout the day.
Grades 11 and 12: The 9th Commandment says: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16). Write 250 to 300 words on why it is so easy for us to forget and break this commandment in today’s technology driven world.
Adults 18 and over: In the book Ecclesiastes it says, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven…” (3:1), “a time to kill and a time to heal” (3:3), “a time to love and a time to hate…a time for war and a time for peace” (3:8). In today’s society, where we see what we believe to be atrocities against man and God, many ask “How can a benevolent God allow this to happen?” Write 400 or more words explaining how you would answer this question. Remember to use your Bible to defend your answer.
Dear parents with students that have academic disabilities: Please have your child write the essay in the category that best matches their academic ability. At award time only the category of A through G will be mentioned, not the grade level.
Information will be listed soon.
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