As we approach Christmas, The Compass is sharing the winning essays and artwork from its 27th annual “Just for Kids” Christmas challenge on these pages. This year’s project changed from previous years. While we still asked for short essays based on a Christmas-themed question, The Compass also returned to a tradition from the 1980s and added an art contest.
Just for Kids 2014 First Place Art winner: Grades 2-4. St. Francis Cabrini School Oshkosh. Luke 2: 15-20.
Another new feature is that the contest was opened to students in grades 6-12. We received entries from sixth graders, but not from students in the higher grades.
Essays and art were reviewed by a committee of diocesan employees and winners chosen in three age groups: kindergarten to first grade; second through fourth grades; and fifth and sixth grades.
The essayists were asked to reflect on the following question: “If you could travel back to Bethlehem, what special holiday food or treat would you bring to the stable and why?” Art was to be based on the Gospel readings for any of the Christmas Masses.
In total, The Compass received 83 essays and 74 pieces of artwork from 28 classes and private family submissions. All the artwork (in a slideshow presentation) and essays can be viewed at The Compass website at thecompassnews.org by Dec. 24.
GRADES PRE-K to 1
ESSAY
FIRST PLACE: Christopher Timm, first grade, Holy Family School, Brillion
SECOND PLACE: Preston Ruebl, first grade, Holy Family School, Brillion.
THIRD PLACE: Kolbe Donnermeyer, kindergarten, age 6. Family submission, Appleton
GRADES 2-4
ESSAY
FIRST PLACE: Allison-Jean, second grade, St. Mary School, Greenville
SECOND PLACE (TIE): Eve Vosters, second grade, , St. Mary School, Greenville
Elizabeth Schmidt, second grade, Holy Family School, Brillion
THIRD PLACE (TIE): Anya Smith, second grade, St. Mary School, Greenville
NicholasVanderLeest, third grade. St. Joseph School, Green Bay
GRADES 5-9
ESSAY
FIRST PLACE: Agii Kerwin, fifth grade, St. Margaret Mary School, Neenah
SECOND PLACE: Julia Shrofe, fifth grade, St. Margaret Mary School, Neenah
THIRD PLACE (TIE): Catherine Moen, sixth grade, St. Mary School, Greenville
Kathleen Burns, sixth grade 6, St. Mary School, Greenville
GRADES Kindergarten to 1
ART
FIRST PLACE: Kylie Rietz, first grade, Lourdes Academy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton site, Oshkosh
SECOND PLACE: Anika Leitch, First grade, Lourdes Academy, St. Frances Cabrini site, Oshkosh
THIRD PLACE: Aubrey Schettle, First grade, Lourdes Academy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton site, Oshkosh
GRADES 2-4
ART
FIRST PLACE: Charley Mullen, third grade, Lourdes Academy, St. Frances Cabrini site, Oshkosh
SECOND PLACE: Sophia Grace Johnson, third grade, Lourdes Academy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton site, Oshkosh
THIRD PLACE: Alaina Sobojinski, third grade, Lourdes Academy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton site, Oshkosh
GRADES 5-9
ART
FIRST PLACE: Marshall Koch, fifth grade, Lourdes Academy, St. Frances Cabrini site, Oshkosh
SECOND PLACE: Erin Frank, fifth grade, Lourdes Academy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton site, Oshkosh
THIRD PLACE: Jacqueline Gruber, fifth grade
All the entries and artwork that were submitted to The Compass this year can be found at this link.
