Keep Christ in Christmas Contest winners, above, top row, from left, Johanna Ceren, Aladeyemi Osho, Catherine Tucci, Deputy Grand Knight Vincent Gentile, Grand Knight Camillo Casano, Tablet reporter Marie Elena Giossi, and Oludamola Akinfeleye; and bottom row, from left, Calista Requijo, Joanne Centeno, Gianna Altidor, Kayla Leger and Emily McDonald.

The Tablet staff and members of Archbishop John Hughes Knights of Columbus Council No. 481, Dyker Heights, teamed up for a fourth year to co-sponsor a “Keep Christ in Christmas” art contest.

Winners were honored Monday evening, Dec. 12 at the Council. Grand Knight Camillo Casano emceed the awards ceremony. He and Deputy Grand Knight Vincent Gentile presented the honors to three high school and nine elementary school winners.

Nearly 600 entries were received in this year’s Keep Christ in Christmas Art Contest for elementary and high school students in Brooklyn and Queens. The contest was co-sponsored by the Archbishop John Hughes Knights of Columbus, and The Tablet.

On the elementary level, there were over 400 entries from 25 Catholic and public elementary schools. The winners are: Gianna Altidor, kindergarten, Midwood Catholic Academy, Flatlands; Kayla Leger, first grade, Midwood Catholic Academy; Ryan David, second grade, Midwood Catholic Academy; Joanne Centeno, third grade, P.S. 312, Bergen Beach; Emily McDonald, fourth grade, Visitation Academy, Bay Ridge; Evan Leon, fifth grade, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sunset Park; Claudia Osorio, sixth grade, St. Anselm, Bay Ridge; Calista Requijo, seventh grade, Holy Family, Flushing; and Oludamola Akinfeleye, eighth grade, St. Teresa of Avila, South Ozone Park.

On the high school level, over 180 entries were received from eight Catholic and public schools. The winners are: first place, Johanna Ceren, St. Agnes Academic H.S., College Point; second place, Catherine Tucci, Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst; and Aladeyemi Osho, Bishop Kearney H.S. An honorable mention to Kirsten Locsin of Bishop Kearney H.S. for her creative use of The Tablet in her artwork.

Each winner received certificates from the Knights, The Tablet and State Senator Martin Golden, who was unable to attend; monetary prizes; red “Keep Christ in Christmas” wristlets; and St. Francis de Sales medals.

Under the direction of Janet Cullen, the tone chime choir and the choral group from Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Bensonhurst, performed Christmas songs and brought merriment to the gathering. Wearing Santa hats, the Kings Chorus also sang carols throughout the evening.

Council chaplain Msgr. Robert Romano, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, offered prayers. Father Guy Sbordone, pastor, St. Frances Cabrini, Bath Beach, mingled with families during a cookie and hot chocolate reception.