To Morgan Westfall, a junior at Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River, being pro-life is something that comes naturally. 

“I’ve grown up in a Catholic home, and Catholic school, and going to Church every week, so this teaching that we are supposed to respect everyone from conception to natural death – it speaks out to me,” Westfall says. “I want to live by that, to give everyone their equal respect and love everyone.”

Her artistic talent will help her witness that passion for human life and dignity across the Diocese of Trenton, as her design won the 2016 Loving Life logo contest sponsored by the Diocese’s Respect Life Ministry.

“I chose to portray the image as I did to convey the stages of life…[in a] easily recognizable way,” Westfall said. 

Her design was chosen by 36% of voters on the poll conducted by the diocesan Respect Life Ministry. Coordinator Donna Goodwin says the contest is an interactive way to encourage young people to think about sharing the message of care for life at all stages.

“The logo reflects the students’ understanding of respect for God’s gift of life,” Goodwin said. “The purpose of the Loving Life 2016 Logo Contest is to raise awareness among high school students about the sanctity of life.”

“I got the email saying I won, and I was really surprised and also very excited, all at once,” said Westfall, who attends St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, with her family. “It means a lot to me… because I treasure all these newborn babies and all the life that’s in the world right now.”

Westfall, who has won t-shirt design contests before, considered art “a hobby, and something I really love to do when I have the time.” She will receive an Apple MacBook as her grand prize at the Diocesan Youth Conference in April, which she plans to use to expand her artistic portfolio.

“I am absolutely honored and thrilled to be a part of this contest and to show what the topic of ‘Loving Life’ truly means to me and a young person of the Catholic faith,” she said.