The Lutherans For Life Council of Federation Presidents announces that the 2025 national winners for their two essay writing contests are both from Minnesota Lutheran schools.
This annual contest provided students in two grade categories, grades 6-8 and 9-12, with the opportunity to affirm and express their belief in the sanctity of life. The theme they wrote about this year is Fearfully and Wonderfully Made using the Bible verse, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14).
Students qualify for the National Essay Contest by winning first place in their state for their grade category. The two first-place winners for Minnesota that went on to win their division at the national event were:
- Casey J. Steiner, a freshman at Mayer Lutheran High School in Mayer, Minnesota, who is the national first-place winner in grades 9-12. Casey wrote her essay titled A Chance to be Knit, in which she wrote about her relative’s blessing of embryo adoption. (Note: For more info on IVF see the position statement of Lutherans For Life as well as these additional resources: In Vitro Fertilization: Moral or Immoral? and A 4Life View of IVF.)
- Alexa Ulanoski, an eighth-grade student at St. John’s Lutheran School in Chaska, Minnesota, who is the national first-place winner in grades 6-8. Alexa wrote her essay titled God’s Choice, My Story, in which she wrote about her personal story of being adopted from China.
Alexa Ulanoski with her parents Stephen and Tracy Ulanoski
Both national first-place winners received $500, a framed certificate, free conference registration for themselves and their parents, free hotel accommodations, and allocated travel expenses to the Lutherans For Life National Conference, which will be held from September 24-26 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they will be asked to read their winning essays to the assembly.
In addition, the two first-place national essay winners were awarded $150 for winning first place in the Minnesota State Essay Contest, a framed certificate, and advancement to the national essay contest.
Both national essay winners were presented with their awards at their school’s annual awards ceremonies.
The second-place winner for grades 9-12 was Sadie Silcox of Lutheran High School North, Sterling Heights, Michigan (and was the Michigan state winner).
The second-place winner for grades 6-8 was Eden Anderson of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fargo, North Dakota (and was the North Dakota state winner).
The second-place winners received $250 each and a framed certificate.
Contact: Virginia Flo, Director of Volunteer Relations at vflo@lutheransforlife.org | 651-333-0337.