HARRISONBURG, VA — MennoMedia is pleased to announce the winners of the Living Forward: Anabaptism at 500 Essay Contest. Eligible students—including current high school seniors, and college students as well as those planning to attend college after a break from academics—were given the opportunity to earn a scholarship for the 2025–26 academic year.
This essay contest invited students to reflect on the enduring values of the Anabaptist tradition and their relevance in today’s world.
The overall winner, receiving a $1,000 USD scholarship, is Andrew Weaver Swartz of Wilmore, Kentucky. Andrew will begin his first year at Calvin University this fall.
The first runner-up, awarded a $500 USD scholarship, is Jocelyn Maendel of Esopus, New York. Jocelyn will return to Messiah University this fall as a third-year student.
Scholarships may be used toward tuition, book costs, and related course fees.
The winners were chosen by a selection committee made up of MennoMedia leadership and board chair. Eighteen students from Canada and the United States submitted a 750- to 1000-word essay responding to the prompt “Timeless Values in a Changing World.” The essay writers were asked to identify the distinctive values of the Anabaptist tradition and to discuss how these values may shape the future of the church and influence broader society in the decades to come.
“Each of these students brought fresh insights into what it means to be part of the body of Christ,” said Amy Gingerich, executive director and publisher at MennoMedia. “They artfully reflected on our collective faith as Anabaptists and what sustains them as individuals. Many of the essays named a desire for peace, community, and faithfulness to Christ. Their heartfelt essays helped me feel ever more grateful for my work at MennoMedia and what we aim to do to enrich faith in our complex world.”
Click here to read the winning essays:
What I Learned at the Milvian Bridge by Andrew Weavery Swartz
Living Forward by Jocelyn Maendel
