The simple black and white sketch of a mother tenderly holding her infant created by Kerry Bates, a ninth grader in Red Bank Catholic High School, was selected the winner of the 2015 Loving Life Logo contest.

The announcement was made Jan. 5 by the Respect Life Ministry in the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care, which sponsors the contest. Voting on the finalist logos occurred from Dec. 9-31.

The contest involved having high school students from around the diocese submit artwork depicting the respect life theme. Once the five finalist logos were chosen by the Respect Life Ministry, the winning entry was determined through an on-line voting process. Of the 1,348 total votes that were entered, Bates’ logo received the highest number of 494, or 36.7 percent.

The purpose of the Loving Life Logo Contest is to raise awareness among high school students living in the four-county diocese about respect for God’s gift of life. The entries were the works from students who attend Catholic high schools and public schools within the four-county diocese.

Bates shared that she chose her design “because I think it captures what the Respect Life Ministry is all about. The morals and goals of this association moved me to create this logo and spread the word about the ministry. I think that people should vote for my entry because it represents the love of a mother toward her child and it would be a great fit for their new logo.”

As the winner, Bates will receive an Apple Macbook.