WEA Faith Essay Winners

Written By Valerie Sandoval

✨ Celebrating Faith, Courage, and Creativity

Women’s Education Alliance (WEA) proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Catholic Faith Essay Contest! Students from Cardinal Shehan School, Mother Mary Lange Catholic School, and Archbishop Borders School shared heartfelt reflections on Scripture, expressing how their faith guides their lives.

This year’s theme invited students to reflect on one of three grade-level Bible prompts. With over 400 student submissions, their creativity, courage, and sincerity moved every reviewer. Congratulations to all participants—and especially to the top essayists below!

📸 Click here to view photos of our essay winners!

📚 6th–8th Grade

Prompt: Matthew 5:14-16 – "You are the light of the world..."
🥇 Jiana F. (8th, Archbishop Borders) – WEA Overall 1st Place Winner | $1,000 Tuition Prize
🥈 Canden H. (8th, Archbishop Borders)
🥉 Fernanda R. (7th, Archbishop Borders)

🥇 Cari M. (6th, Cardinal Shehan)
🥈 August L. (7th, Cardinal Shehan)
🥉 Madysen W. (8th, Cardinal Shehan)

🥇 Brayden C. (7th, Mother Mary Lange Catholic) – WEA Overall 2nd Place Winner | $500 Tuition Prize
🥈 Ayva H. (7th, Mother Mary Lange Catholic)
🥉 Dominque B. (7th, Mother Mary Lange Catholic)

🖍️ 3rd–5th Grade

Prompt: John 13:34 – "Love one another as I have loved you..."
🥇 Gabriel P. (3rd, Archbishop Borders)
🥈 Ethan R. (3rd, Archbishop Borders)
🥉 Nkonyeasua D. (3rd, Archbishop Borders)

🥇 Tyler S. (4th, Cardinal Shehan)
🥈 Madisyn M. (4th, Cardinal Shehan)
🥉 Kimora H. (4th, Cardinal Shehan)

🧸 PreK–2nd Grade

Prompt: Genesis 1:31 – "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good."
🥇 Sasha S. (2nd, Archbishop Borders)
🥈 Adelaide H. (Pre-K 4, Archbishop Borders)
🥉 Magdalena R. (PreK 4, Archbishop Borders)

🥇 Braylon B. (2nd, Cardinal Shehan) – WEA Overall 3rd Place Winner | $200 Tuition Prize
🥈 Graycie B. (2nd, Cardinal Shehan)
🥉 Antwoine G. (PreK 3, Cardinal Shehan)

🍎 Honoring Our Educators – 100% Participation Recognition

WEA is proud to recognize the educators who inspired every student in their classes to submit an essay. Each received a $50 Target gift card as a thank-you for fostering reflection, writing, and faith in action.

Cardinal Shehan School

  • Dr. Dolamore – 7th Grade

  • Ms. Veal-Shanon – 5th Grade

  • Ms. Brown – 2nd Grade

  • Ms. Kim – Kindergarten

  • Ms. Brooks – PreK

Mother Mary Lange Catholic School

  • Dr. Lee – 7th Grade

Archbishop Borders School

  • Ms. Marcelino – 3rd Grade

  • Ms. Peralta – 2nd Grade

  • Ms. Vodola – 1st Grade

  • Ms. Beltran – PreK

  • Ms. Canales – PreK

  • Ms. Wood – PreK

💬 A Final Word

WEA celebrates every student who courageously shared their faith journey through writing. This contest is more than a competition—it’s a testimony to the light our students shine in their schools, homes, and communities. We are especially grateful to our educators for encouraging their students to explore their beliefs with heart and purpose.

Special thanks to WEA’s Academic Committee for organizing this year’s Catholic Faith Essay Contest and serving as judges for the PreK–2nd grade submissions. We are also deeply grateful to the educators from Notre Dame of Maryland University and Notre Dame Preparatory School for generously volunteering their time and expertise as judges.

To our donors: Thank you for making this opportunity possible. Your support allows us to recognize academic excellence, foster spiritual growth, and strengthen the community schools WEA serves.

Valerie Sandoval
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WEA BOWL 2025