Essay Competition

The 2024 Patrick Webb Essay Competition

Winners announced! See below.

For many years Patrick Webb was a secondary school teacher in West Vancouver’s public school system. He was raised in England and finally settled on the North Shore. Some years ago he became gravely ill but before his passing he resolved to establish an essay competition that centered on various life issues including abortion and euthanasia. He felt passionately that these issues were being addressed superficially by many, addressing complex medical/ethical crises by providing a quick fix. Mr. Webb was for many years a member of the North Shore Pro Life Society, which supports his pro-life essay competition in order to make visible, especially among secondary students, the issues raised by abortion and euthanasia.

There are two categories, Junior, for students in Grades 8 – 10, and Senior, for students in grades 11 & 12, with a total of $1,800.00 in prize money to be awarded.


JUNIOR CATEGORY TOPICS (Grades 8-10Choose One)
Two prizes: 1st Place – $400.00        2nd Place – $200.00

CHOOSE ONE TOPIC BELOW AND COMPOSE AN ESSAY OF NO MORE THAN 800 WORDS:

1) Several years ago, “The Magical Birth Canal,” a short and humourous video clip by pro-life organization, Choice 4 2, made waves on the internet as it got millions of views. Find at least two other examples of effective pro-life social media campaigns in the present day and analyze the message and intended audience, as well as any elements that contribute to its success.

2) Pro-lifers should know the best pro-choice arguments so that they can be more confident in their own position. Identify three prevalent arguments against the pro-life world view and provide, showing evidence of research, an appropriate pro-life defense, clearly explained, for each one.


SENIOR CATEGORY TOPICS (Grades 11-12Choose One)
Two prizes: 1st Place – $800.00        2nd Place – $400.00

CHOOSE ONE TOPIC BELOW AND COMPOSE AN ESSAY OF NO MORE THAN 1000 WORDS:

1) Popular media sometimes displays overt pro-life messages. One recent example involves the successful remake of the film, Dune, (2021, Directed by Denis Villeneuve Screenplay by Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, & Eric Roth, based on the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert) which includes a preborn child as an important character. Consider at least two other pieces of popular culture (films, shows, etc.) and explain how they convey a pro-life message. What kind of follow up discussion would come from its viewing and how might that best be used to effectively present a pro life world view?

2) Although Canada has no law on abortion, we live in a very pro-choice country. Examine the ways that Canadian government and institutions (schools, hospitals, etc.) take a markedly pro-choice stance when it comes to abortion and euthanasia.



The essays will be marked by experienced educators.  The entry/information form can be downloaded below and submitted with completed essays (preferably) via email or in print via post to the addresses below:

Email tonorthshoreprolife@gmail.com
- Subject Line:  Patrick Webb Pro Life Essay Competition 2024

Mail by post to:
North Shore Pro-Life Society
Attention: Patrick Webb Pro Life Essay Competition 2024
P.O. Box 37026
North Vancouver BC  V7M 4M4

Patrick Webb Pro Life Essay Competition Winner Announcement 2024.pdf