A crowd of more than 520 students, parents and teachers from 43 different Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Catholic Schools gathered on the UST Academic Mall for UST/Archdiocesan Essay Contest Mass and Awards Ceremony on Friday, Jan. 30. The Mass was celebrated by His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, and concelebrated by the Basilian Fathers Catholic school preists and various and Parish priests.

A luncheon and awards ceremony to recognize winners of the essay contest followed in the Jerabeck Center Gymnasim. The young authors had the opportunity to meet and shake hands with Cardinal DiNardo, Dr. Robert Ivany and Dr. George Laird, associate superintendent of Catholic Schools.

Writing on the theme, “Catholic Education Celebrates Service,” this year’s contest set a record for participation. Over the last five years, the essay contest has seen the number of participants who initially came from a handful of schools grow from approximately 350 students to more than 2500 students. The event also served as a venue to recognize Catholic school students for their commitment to community service. Students in Archdiocese schools and the University of St. Thomas have given in excess of 180,000 community service hours.

The first-place essays will on display in Doherty Library until Feb. 20. Winners of the $1,000 scholarship to UST are Heidi Schruben, 9th grade, Incarnate Word Academy, Youssef Bargach, 10th grade St. Thomas High School, Amanda Heins, 10th grade, St. Pius X High School, Daniel Enriquez, 11th grade, St. Pius X High School, Margaret Scamardo, 11th grade, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart and Daniel Laucirica, 12th grade, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.

View a photo gallery of scholarship winners.

“As a university known for encouraging students to read and write critically, the University of St. Thomas is proud to have hosted the UST/Archdiocesan Essay Contest for the fifth consecutive year, said Elsie Biron, director of Catholic outreach. “Not only does the essay contest encourage creative writing from 3rd to 12th-graders, but it also nudges students to write about a person or event at their school which has positively impacted their lives.”

View the complete list of first, second and third place winners as well as honorable mentions.