The contest is open to all Tennessee high school students, grades 9 - 12. Contestants must research, write, and present an original pro-life speech on the topics of abortion, infanticide, stem cell research or euthanasia. Great prize opportunities include cash, college scholarships, and an all-expense paid trip for the state winner and a parent to the 2021 National Right to Life Convention in Herndon, Virginia.  The contest has three phases: Contestants compete in a local competition. See below for local contest application and contest rules. Local winners advance to the state competition to be held on April 24 at Parish Life Center of St. Joseph Catholic Church at 1225 Gallatin Pike N, Madison. Registration begins at 12:00 noon CDT and the competition begins at 1:00 p.m. The state winner advances to the national competition to be held on Saturday, June 26 in Herndon, Virginia. 2021 Contest Application 2021 Contest Rules Continue reading

“If we don’t have life, we don’t have anything. If we don’t protect life, we jeopardize everything. And if nothing changes, nothing changes. We will continue to grant ourselves and those in power the authority to end precious, innocent life. Those without that authority will have no opportunity for life as we experience it. But we have the opportunity to change that.” These words summarize the speech given by Camille Floyd, a homeschooled junior from College Grove, who placed 2nd in the National Right to Life Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest held virtually last week. Camille had won the Tennessee contest held in April representing Williamson/Davidson County Right to Life. “If we don’t have life, we don’t have anything. If we don’t protect life, we jeopardize everything. And if nothing, nothing changes. We will continue to grant ourselves and those in power the authority to end precious, innocent life. Those without that authority will have no opportunity for life as we experience it. But we have the opportunity to change that.” These words summarize the speech given by Camille Floyd, a homeschooled junior from College Grove, who placed 2nd in the National Right to Life Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest held virtually last week. Camille had won the Tennessee contest held in April representing Williamson/Davidson County Right to Life. “I’m remarkably proud of Camille! Having had the opportunity to work with her for the last few years, I know what a gifted student she is. When Camille speaks, people genuinely want to hear more,” stated Frances Arthur, Pro-life Oratory Contest Chairman for TN Right to Life and the Director of TN Teen Eagles. “I was thrilled to find out how well she had done at the national event, but not surprised. Camille is a wonderful student and there are great things in store for her. With students like her and so many other competitors, I have hope for our future as well as the futures of the unborn."  Continue reading

"What we have forgotten, or chosen to ignore, in our country, is the importance of life. We have replaced it with an emphasis on autonomy and control, and we have ignored morality in the process." There were chills of excitement as I listened to Camille Floyd, an 11th grade homeschooled student from the Davidson/Williamson County area, recite these words in her First Place speech. Could you have made such a statement when you were in high school? This spring has been a most unusual one, but the leaders at Tennessee Right to Life have been busier than ever. Each year, our county chapter leaders host a Pro-life Oratory Contest for High School students. The winners from these county events then go to Nashville to participate in the statewide event. With the shutdowns due to Covid-19, we had to be very creative with these events. Rather than meeting in person, students sent videos of themselves presenting an original 5-7 minute speech on abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, or infanticide. We sent these videos to our panel of judges who selected our winners. I encourage you to watch these speeches (links below), as well as the announcement of the winner! I am incredibly proud of the students who entered this year, and I believe you will be blessed as you watch them. It really is quite encouraging to watch young people speak on issues of such great importance. Continue reading

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPETE FOR PLACE AT NATIONAL COMPETITION IN CHARLESTON, SC “You have a choice to stand for life or to stand for death. For all these unborn children and those who have been broken and mislead, will you join me? Will you fight for life like you are on your warhorse in the greatest battle of all time? Because that is what we are in! Now is the time!” This call to action is in the speech given by Lindsey White, winner of this year's Tennessee Right to Life Pro-Life Oratory Contest for high school students. The 20th annual event was held at Saint Cecilia Academy in Nashville on Saturday, April 27. Winners from 13 participating chapters across the state qualified to attend by competing against over 50 public, private, and home-schooled students in grades 9-12. Each contestant researched, wrote, and presented an original 5-7 minute pro-life speech on abortion, euthanasia, infanticide, or stem-cell research. Lindsey, a high school senior from Rutherford County, opened with the story of Norma McCorvey, also known as Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade. She continued to speak about protecting life,  “Evidence of when life begins is all throughout science. According to medical records, the genes and sex of the baby are set at the very instant of fertilization....Once the object of life has been decided, it is obvious that no age can make the brutality of abortion bearable. What happened to the rights of the peaceful child with soft skin and tiny hands, curled up in the womb of its mother? They have a right, a right that is violated before they can fight for it..." Continue reading