“The Value of a Single Human Life”
The 9-10th grade submitters who received Honorable Mention awards (and gave permission for their essays to be published) are:
* Olivia Houghton,
* Abigail Green, and
* Cora
“The Value of a Single Human Life”
Olivia Houghton, grade 9
Derby, VT
Homeschool
The value of life is incredibly important to me. My family has a beautiful story of God’s love, grace, and mercy. My siblings were conceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF). My parents’ story shows me how all life matters no matter how you are conceived. While I was conceived naturally, and my siblings through IVF it doesn’t change the fact that we are all equally valuable, and made by God. My family’s journey shows that every human life is a unique gift from God, created by him with a purpose.
I believe that each person has value as we are all made in the image of God and created by him. The Bible says in Genesis 1:27, “so God created mankind in his own image.” This means our worth doesn’t depend on how we are conceived. People often debate reproductive rights and freedom, but whether conceived naturally, with scientific assistance, unplanned or unfortunate circumstances, every life is worthy of life, love, and respect.
When my parents did IVF, it was a decision that filled them with hope. They wanted to grow our family. The first attempt was a success, and my little brother was born. He is nine now. I love him so much, he is so smart and creative. The second attempt sadly failed, but he or she is still important to us. My parents clung to faith and soon after they got pregnant with my little sister. She is six now, sassy as ever, and is very funny. I love them both very much.
Watching my siblings grow up is a constant reminder of their value. They are unique individuals with their own personalities, dreams, and gifts – evidence of God’s creativity. Their lives prove that no matter how they were conceived, they hold the same worth as I do. My siblings prove that family is family no matter how they were brought into the world.
My family’s story challenges false assumptions that surround IVF and assisted reproduction. My siblings remind me every day that God’s plan includes everybody. It’s amazing how each one of us, God, has an amazing plan.
In conclusion, my siblings are proof that every life matters deeply, reflecting what it means to be made in God’s image. As we navigate life, we should celebrate the paths that lead to life and cherish every individual for their unique gifts that they bring to the world.
“The Impact of Life”
Abigail Green, grade 9
Newport, VT
United Christian Academy
If she wasn’t born the earth would still spin, but a vacancy would be found in anyone she’s met. Most people don’t know their true value, or “Why they are on earth”, but if there is one person I can tell you has more value than I can write about, it would be my mother. Without her, life wouldn’t be the same, her love, perseverance, and value impacted my life in a way that nobody else could.
Unconditional love is a love many people take for granted, or don’t get to experience. Fortunately, my mom showed me what unconditional love was, and it impacted me in many ways. When things felt hard, or I felt like giving up in life, there was never a moment I felt unloved. She taught me how important love is, and the impact one act of love can have on someone else. Even if I think her best trait is her love, her perseverance falls very shortly behind that. I have never seen her give up. Out of four years we have lived in Vermont, she has called out of work 3 times. She doesn’t give up when life presents arduous challenges, or when things get tough, she sticks through it and shows how resilient and tough she is. She has taught myself and others how to overcome obstacles and how to love yourself while doing it. Now, even though she has love and perseverance, her value and effect on the earth is important. Janelle, my mom, is one of the most outgoing people I know. She can light up a whole room with only one sentence, and anybody she ever meets, loves her. She knows what to say, and how to cheer people up. Never has there been a moment where somebody called and she wouldn’t show up. No matter how hard I try, that value cannot be found in another person. Maybe they have traits, but nobody has the same value my mom has. Her value in this earth, even if she doesn’t feel it, helped me find my own value. Through loving me, and teaching me how to get through things, or even just sitting with me while I cried. I learned how to find my own value and how to love myself. There was a time when I was suicidal, and I attempted to take my own life, I felt so alone. She stood by my side the whole time, through the hospital stay, doctor visits, my own mood swings, everything. She never left my side and showed me that even through hard times anybody can be loved. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
So, overall if she wasn’t born, the earth would spin, but not the same way. Every life has an impact, even if the own person can’t see it. No matter the challenges presented, or the hardships you overcome, every life matters. And everyone deserves a chance to show that.
“An Impactful Life”
Cora
Concord, VT
Abraham Lincoln once wisely stated, “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” This is a beautiful statement that captures the value of life. However, what happens when people are never given that chance to live? Their lives are simply discarded. Abortion is undeniably wrong. One person in my life, who I am very thankful for, is my great-grandfather. He is a great man full of life and countless tales to tell. I cannot imagine my life without his presence. My great-grandfather’s name is Pier Antonio Abetti. He was born in 1921, in Florence, Italy. Being born into a prominent family, Pier was well known. However, his world turned upside down when WWII began. For a little while Pier worked for the Nazis as an engineer and translator, fortunately this did not last long. He soon realized the weighty moral wrong of standing by and watching, as the Nazi’s took countless lives.
Taking a life, no matter the age, is truly vile. Despite the risk of being killed, Pier soon became a spy for the underground. Pier, along with millions of others, stood up to the Nazi’s crave for death. They fought for what is right. They fought for freedoms. They fought for life. Life has historically always been fought for, and yet taking it from a child in the womb is disgustingly encouraged in our culture today. I am thankful for Pier because of the value he has for life, his love of others, and his eagerness to help those around him. Though not a Christian, he understands that life is something to be valued, not wasted. Looking at his life, and his achievements, has shown me that anybody can do great things if they work hard. All throughout his life, he has been a hard worker, and does not stop for anything. Pier helped to invent transformers on the power line as an employee for GE. He also worked as a professor, being an example for many students to look up to.
I am thankful for him and the life that he has lived. Pier is now 103 years old and lives with my family in Concord Vermont. He has lived a long and full life, and has overcome countless obstacles throughout it. Pier has had an impact on many lives, including my own. He has shown me the importance of never giving up, of persevering when things seem impossible, and the truth that our lives always have an impact on others. Having an impact on others is not something to be taken lightly. Pier is someone that has taken this seriously, and will, no doubt continue to impact lives throughout the remainder of his life.
