IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH 2025 YOUTH AWARDS
THE CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE IS EXCITED TO BE SPONSORING THE TORONTO DIOCESAN
COUNCIL YOUTH AWARDS PROGRAM
The CWL Youth Awards Program is a combination of contests intended to support Catholic youths to
hone their skills in becoming people of faith dedicated to following in the footsteps of Christ to serve
God and Canada. The program reflects the Objects of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada.
Below is the list of contests: (note that applications will not be accepted after the registration deadline)
Mary Matthews Public Speaking - registration deadline January 10th 2025.
Open to all Grade 7 and 8 students, all Parish community schools, private or public and any students
attending neighboring parishes or Catholics attending public schools.
Mary Dobell Pro-Life Essay and Poetry – registration deadline January 10th 2025
This contest is intended to be promoted in the Family Life and Religious Education Program in the
schools and is supported by the CWL at the Parish Level and includes the following categories:
Intermediate Level –
Open to Grades 7, 8 and 9 students: Essay: Minimum 250 words Maximum 500 words Poetry: Minimum
16 lines Maximum 32 Lines
Senior Level – Open to Grades 10, 11 and 12 students: Essay: Minimum 500 words Maximum 800 words
Poetry: Minimum 16 lines Maximum 32 Lines
Criteria: All submissions must reflect the teachings of the Catholic Church concerning the sanctity of life
and the value of all human life from conception to new life stages (death). Contestants reflecting on the
dignity of life can reflect on how they see the sanctity or dignity of life is diminishing in their schools,
communities and the world and what can be done to promote the dignity of life in these environments.
Topics can include but are not limited to any topic which is reflected in the CWL Objects of the League
that will be provided.
Jean McCann Youth Service Award
Open to youths 15-18 years of age
The Jean McCann Youth Service Award recognizes and affirms the role youths play in our Parishes. Youth
must between the ages of 15-18). This award is a tribute to Jean McCann, an inspirational CWL Life
Member. It is hoped that by recognizing a young person with this award we can emphasize the necessity
of service to others and show appreciation to those young people who are taking the gospel message
seriously.
THE CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE OF THE IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION PARISH 2025 YOUTH AWARDS
The applicant’s written submission is to: • describe involvement with family, school, community, parish
and other activities • explain how he/she uses his/her talents in witnessing Christ • tell us about his/her
future plans and anything else that he/she wishes us to know
St Michael’s College Scholarship
The Toronto Diocesan Council of the Catholic Women's League of Canada is offering a scholarship to St.
Michael's College. This scholarship is open to any young woman who is of Catholic faith, who is
completing her secondary school education, and who has indicated on her application to the University
of Toronto that St. Michael's College is her first choice. The applicant must be entering the Faculty of Arts
and Science in one of the following areas of study: Commerce, Computer Science, Humanities and Social
Sciences or Sciences. The applications must be submitted by May 31, 2025.
For further information regarding the CWL Youth Contests, please contact the CWL Service Chair, Grace
Colaricci at 416 529 3762 or Margherita Thurlow, CWL President at 416 949 5988.
The Youth Awards Program Package of all the necessary forms, rules and guidelines for the contests of
the Youth Awards as listed above will be available to those interested to participate.
