The Laura Winters Stegen Post-Secondary Pro-Life Scholarship was instituted in 2011 by the Lethbridge and District Pro-Life Association in recognition of the leadership and many years of dedicated service of Laura Winters Stegen to the Pro-Life Movement at the local, provincial, and national levels.
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, college/university, church and/or community.
Become discerning of society’s values.
Value of the Scholarship
One thousand dollars ($1000) to be awarded to the winner.
Payment and certificate of recognition will be presented to the winner(s) at a predetermined time and location.
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 the proposed expansion of MAID to individuals suffering solely from mental illness. 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?
Could expanded access to MAID unintentionally affect people who are vulnerable because of disability, poverty, inadequate access to mental-health services, social isolation, or lack of appropriate supports?
What responsibilities do physicians, governments, families, and communities have toward people experiencing severe and prolonged suffering?
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 1500-2000 words typed, doubled-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%)
a. Submit a self-profile (200-400 words) that describes your interest and involvement in pro-life activities and other voluntary activities.
b. 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 here or they can email it directly to us at lethprolife@gmail.com.
Eligibility
The entrant must be:
A full-time student attending a post-secondary institution (does not have to be in Southern Alberta) and must have their home base in the administrative region of Lethbridge and District Pro-Life.
Administration of the Scholarship
The board of Lethbridge & 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 will be notified.
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.
*While this form saves your work, we suggest you prepare your answers in a separate document and then paste them here to ensure you do not lose your work. Please email lethprolife@gmail.com with questions.