Maryknoll Magazine 2010 student essay contest

Innovative ideas that help spread God's word in the digital age is the theme of the 2010 Maryknoll Student Essay Contest, the 22nd annual middle school and high school competition from Maryknoll magazine.

This year's assignment, iMission, asks students to describe how young people continue to spread the Good News of the Lord throughout a world increasingly dominated by and dependent on instant messaging and online social networking.

For 100 years, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers have been following Jesus' command to "go out to the whole world and spread the Good News." While ever-changing technology now provides unique, easy and instantaneous communications opportunities from almost anywhere, Maryknoll is asking teenagers and pre-teens to share the many ways that they share Jesus' message with others.

Maryknoll is published by the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, the chief mission outreach of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States that serves the poor in 27 countries. During 2011, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers will commemorate its centennial. The theme of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Centennial -- The Gift of Mission - The Maryknoll Journey -- will celebrate the missionary organization as it continues to share God's love combating poverty, providing healthcare, building communities and promoting human rights.

More than 7,000 students competed for nearly $3,000 in cash prizes during the 2009 Maryknoll Student Essay Contest. The awards remain the same for the 2010 contest, with $1,000 provided to each of the two first place finalists, $300 awarded to each of the two second place finalists and $150 provided to each of the two third place award recipients.

The contest focuses on a specific Christian message each year and is open to all students in grades six to eight (Division I) and grades nine to 12 (Division II).

Only one entry is permitted per student. One first place winner, one second place winner and one third place winner will be recognized from each of the two divisions.

The division category must be clearly identified on each submission. Essay length is 500 to 750 words and the postmark deadline for all entries is Wednesday, December 1, 2010.

Flyers announcing the 2010 contest have been mailed to approximately 38,000 Catholic schools and Catholic parish religious education programs in the US Students of any religious denomination inside or outside the US may enter. Essays must be prepared in English.

The flyers contain the complete contest rules and submission guidelines. For more information, call the Maryknoll Student Essay Contest hotline at 1-888-627-9566 x2368, or visit: www.maryknollsociety.org/essay

"We are repeatedly impressed with each year's submissions and the insights that our young people are eager to share with us and our readers," said Marge Gaughan, managing editor of Maryknoll. "We look forward to learning about all the ways that they choose to spread the Gospel."