First Place: 2025 Annual Helen M. Donovan Memorial Award Essay Contest
The results of the 2025 Helen Donovan Memorial Essay Contest are complete. Once again the young pro-life voices in the state are showing how thoughtful they are on pro-life issues. We are grateful for the participation of all those who submitted an essay this year.
This essay by Melania Lambert won first place and is titled Promoting the Culture of Life.
Promoting the Culture of Life
Promoting a culture that values human life at every stage and preserves human dignity is a crucial mission in today’s society. Social media has become a powerful resource for spreading information and raising awareness on various issues, including human dignity and the sanctity of
Jeremiah 1 :5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” emphasizing the sacredness of human life from its very beginning, reinforcing the message that every life is valuable and worthy of respect.
My volunteer work at Coal Pit Learning Center, a preschool for underprivileged children has taught me about the dignity of life. During my time over the summer, I see children from various backgrounds be together in a safe, nurturing environment where they are given the same opportunities to learn and grow, regardless of their circumstance. Through my interactions with these children, I have learned that dignity isn’t about one’s social or economic status; it’s about the inherent value each person holds. Watching the kids’ resilience and joy has shown me that every life is precious and worthy of respect and care. As president of the Coal Pit Jr. Board, I fundraise for the school as well as plan entertaining and engaging activities to do with the children. I have previously carried out trunk or treats, easter egg hunts, a Krispy Kreme doughnut raffle and more. I dedicate so much of my time to this Coal Pit because I want each and every kid to have a normal preschool experience. While being with the children, I make it known to them that they are loved and important and are not any less of someone in any other preschool. The center’s commitment to providing quality education and support to these children has reinforced the idea for me that every child and life deserves a chance to succeed.
Social media could be utilized to share educational content that raises awareness and the importance of human life and dignity. I believe the most beneficial way this can be done through social media is by using a Linktree. A Linktree allows for someone to create a personalized and customizable page that houses diftu•ent links which can then be shared with an audience.
Different links such as articles, videos, infographics, and resources from the Bible can be put in a Linktree to help explain the ethical, moral, and scientific reasons for protecting life at all stages.
Another great way of promoting this type of culture through social media is by creating interactive, yet informative content. Interactive media allows for people to stay engaged, rather than reading an article where people tend to have little to no attention span. Hosting live Q&A sessions, webinars, and discussions on social media platforms can foster a sense of community and active participation. Encouraging followers or anyone in general who is curious to participate in using specific hashtags can create a field of collective action. Interactive content not only educates but also empowers individuals to become advocates for human dignity and in their own communities.
When trying to grasp the attention from an ocean full of people, it is important to keep in mind which kinds of social media platforms will attract different types of people, specifically regarding age. Platforms including Instagram and Facebook tend to attract young adults and adults. These can be used to share information that resonates with people. Bible quotes, such as “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and funale he created them (Genesis 1 :27), can be posted daily, weekly, etc. to remind people of the inherent dignity of every human being. In an attempt to target a younger audience, Tik Tok is the ideal social media platform as the majority of pre-teens, teenagers, and even young adults spend time on this app.
By Leveraging social media and other communication resources, it is possible to effectively promote a culture that values human life at every stage and preserves human dignity. Through education, community engagement, and incorporating faith-based perspectives, this mission can be achieved in today’s world.
