The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida, along with the Rev. Frank Zammit, recently selected the three essay winners of this year's Marian Contest for Middle Schoolers.

Arman Sadri of St. Teresa Catholic School in Titusville was awarded first place, while Allie Burke's essay came in second place and Ricky Issac, a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church and Youth Ministry, was third. The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida congratulated the winners with a post on its Facebook page. 

The winning essays can be found here.

Sadri, Burke and Isaac will share $1,150 to continue their faith formation or to donate to the Catholic church, school or faith-based ministry of their choice. The contest was open for middle-school-aged children who are involved in either Parish Faith Formation or Youth Ministry.

The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida is a faith-based, nonprofit organization with the goal of bringing in and giving money to help the Catholic community. The organization is able to do this with the help of generous donations.