Abigail Rakos, a senior at Marian Catholic High School in Hometown, was the first-place winner in the senior division of the Diocese of Allentown's "Stand Up for Life" essay and multimedia contest.

The contest was jointly sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Office of Pro-Life Activities and Social Concerns. Abby is the daughter of Jeffrey and Debra Rakos of Jim Thorpe and a member of St. Peter and Paul's Parish in Lehighton.A member of the Advanced Placement English literature and composition class at Marian, she plans to pursue a career in nursing.