The Tablet newspaper, in collaboration with the Archbishop John Hughes Knights of Columbus, is proud to announce the 2015 Keep Christ in Christmas Art Contest winners.
Nearly 900 young artists from throughout Brooklyn and Queens – ranging from first to 12th grade – submitted greeting cards incorporating their interpretations of the theme of “Keep Christ in Christmas” and a message to Pope Francis thanking him for visiting New York City.
Catholic schools, religious education programs and households sent unique greeting cards and postcards of different sizes that showcased drawings, paintings and multilingual messages for the pope. The Tablet editorial staff voted on the entries and the greeting cards with the most votes won. The judges considered artistic ability, originality and most in importantly adherence to the themes.
The winners came to a special ceremony at the Archbishop John Hughes Knights of Columbus Council, Dyker Heights, where they received medals, certificates of appreciation and cash prizes, courtesy of the Knights.
This is the eighth year of the Keep Christ in Christmas contest, which shows how children see Christ at the center of Christmas and their lives. This time, a second theme was added to the grand theme and the children included a personal message to Pope Francis sharing what inspired them about his visit and how that was linked to keeping Christ at the core of life. One of the messages said, “…Thank you for visiting my home town … The world is going through much hatred. Your presence gave us hope and happiness for the future. Hope to see you again.” Another quoted Pope Francis saying, “Help one another. This is what Jesus teaches us. This is what I do and I do it with my heart.”
Honorable mentions were awarded to some students, who will receive certificates through the mail. Their artwork can be seen at thetablet.org.
The Tablet thanks parents, teachers, principals, mentors and all those who encouraged students to create religious artwork and participate in this contest. The Tablet also thanks all participants for their time and talents shared to help God’s people come into a deeper understanding of the mystery of Christmas.
The next contest will be the Christ Is Risen Art Contest. Details will follow shortly on the Youth Page.
Winners
First Grade — Luca Gambuzza, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Dyker Heights
Second Grade — James Dolan, Our Lady of Guadalupe
Third Grade — Gabriel Sokolowski, St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy, Greenpoint
Fourth Grade — Dino Tomassetti, Good Shepherd Catholic Academy, Marine Park
Fifth Grade — Daniel Airapetov, Holy Angels Catholic Academy, Bay Ridge
Sixth Grade — Mhelvin Prangan, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy, Rockaway Beach
Seventh Grade — Sophia Wang, St. Matthias School, Ridgewood
Eighth Grade — Haley Kirmaier, St. Margaret School, Middle Village
High School First Place — Leanna Molaro, Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst
High School Second Place — Caitlyn Marino, Bishop Kearney H.S.
High School Third Place — Maria LoPardo, Bishop Kearney H.S.
Honorable Mentions
First Grade — Gianna Cappucci, Mary Queen of Heaven School of Religion, Old Mill Basin
Second Grade — Emily Jaikaran, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy, Sunset Park;
Brianna Garvey, St. Patrick Catholic Academy, Bay Ridge
Third Grade — Aleksandra I Ikouron, St. Stanislaus Kostka;
Giada Amendelara, St. Bernadette School, Dyker Heights;
Danie Ognian, St. Camillus Catholic Academy, Rockaway Park
Fourth Grade — Isabella Alvira, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy;
Vincenzo Grassadania, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy, Gravesend
Fifth Grade — Amanda Waldron, St. Fidelis parish, College Point;
Lindsay Phung, St. Joan of Arc School, Jackson Heights
Sixth Grade — Skylar Moeller, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy
High School — Erika Diaz, St. Agnes A.H.S., College Point
Note: Arrangements to pick up student artwork can be made by calling 718-517-3132 or by writing to azielinska@desalesmedia.org by March 2.