Winning The Tablet’s annual Keep Christ in Christmas Art Contest takes craftsmanship, dedication, attention to detail and for the special theme this year, reflecting on a specific passage in the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 10: 17-19.
Twelve winners, which included a tie, were selected to celebrate their achievements at the Archbishop John Hughes Knights of Columbus Council No. 481, Dyker Heights, Jan. 24.
With participants from across the diocese encompassing nearly 30 Catholic academies, four high schools and one parish, judges had to pick a winner from more than 800 student entries. The submissions were unique, thoughtful and showcased the diocese’s diverse talents and child-like expressions of Scripture.
For the first-place winner from St. Agnes H.S. in College Point, Julia Jiyoung Yoo said the country’s division and “hatred” from the last few years stirred her emotions in a way that inspired her masterpiece.
“I was trying to combine love and bring everyone together,” said Yoo. “It doesn’t matter what race or color you are, what gender you are, it matters on who you are as an individual and that we’re all connected by Jesus Christ alone.”
Winners took home certificates from The Tablet, local state and district representatives, a scholarship from the Knights of Columbus Council No. 481, Dyker Heights, and giveaways from DeSales Media Group, the parent company of The Tablet.
Congratulations to the Winners:
First grade, Nicolette Falce, St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy, Greenpoint
Second grade, Leonardo Raffael Giancola, St. Anselm Catholic Academy, Bay Ridge
Third grade, Chloe Lirarakis, Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, Bayside
Fourth grade, Denise Annang, Holy Angels Catholic Academy, Bay Ridge
Fifth grade – tie, Thomas Kwiecien, Henry Jeannopoulos, both Holy Angels Catholic Academy
Jeannopoulos
Kwiecien
Sixth grade, Logan Tunis, Our Lady’s Catholic Academy, South Ozone Park
Seventh grade, Annmarie Razack, Our Lady’s Catholic Academy, South Ozone Park
Eighth grade, Kevin Aguirre, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Academy, Bushwick
High School:
First place, Julia Jiyoung Yoo, St. Agnes Academic, College Point
Second place, Robin Lesser, Bishop Kearney, Bensonhurst
Third place, Isabella Agate, St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows
Honorable mentions have also been awarded to the following students:
First grade
Stella Piasio, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Academy, Dyker Heights
Third Grade
Niley Jones, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy, Rockaway; Emily Mokliak, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy, Gravesend; Savanna Rice, Holy Angels Catholic Academy, Bay Ridge
Fourth Grade
Lianna Herrera, St. Matthias Catholic Academy, Ridgewood
Fifth grade
Aaliyah Quaiyeem, St. Adalbert Catholic Academy, Elmhurst; Matias Emery,
Grace Costabile, Holy Angels Catholic Academy, Bay Ridge
Sixth grade
Daniel Sudol, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Academy, Dyker Heights
Seventh grade
Thu-Aung Aye, St. Bernadette Catholic Academy, Dyker Heights
Eighth grade
Ashanti Leveque, Debra Chondool, Our Lady’s Catholic Academy, South Ozone Park;
Gabriel Lee, St. Pancras Catholic Academy, Glendale