Catholic Daughters Honor Writing Contest Winners

By Cynthia Fowler

The Catholic Daughters organization hosted “Celebration of Excellence in Writing and the Arts” on May 15 and 42 local and six state winners were honored with cash awards, certificates of achievement, and a sit-down dinner.

During the event, students enthusiastically took the stage to read aloud their essays or poems and to describe the inspiration of their artwork to an appreciative audience.

This year, local students in grades four through eight, primarily from St. John the Evangelist School, submitted an astounding 335 entries in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) National Education Contest. The students competed in five categories, with at least 50 participating in more than one category: essay writing, poetry, art, computer art, and photography. The topics were “The Lord Is My Light” and “The Light Others Give to Me.”

“Our family absolutely loves this event. It is a thoughtful endeavor that links faith, creativity, and intellect,” stated James Nemeth, principal of SS. Peter and Paul High School in Easton, who traveled to Severna Park to attend the event.

“It was inspirational,” exclaimed Don Urgo, whose son Devin and daughter Haley won Honorable Mention at the local level in Grade 7 poetry and Grade 4 art. “I don’t think I could have written most of the essays or poems these students wrote. It was a very rewarding experience.”

Parents Christine and John Sybert agreed. “The luncheon is a wonderful opportunity to hear what the children have written, which, in some cases could rival any piece written by an adult. It is wonderful to have a venue for future Catholic writers, poets, and artists to ‘spread their wings.’” Colette Sybert’s exquisitely detailed painting of the monstrance earned her first-place in Grade 7 art at both the local and state levels.

What another parent, Tom Lynch, considered noteworthy was the students’ openness: “I was impressed with how so many of the children were so candid in their writing about their family life, especially the daily things they do with their families and the quirks of individual members, in addition to the struggles and tragedies in some of their lives.” Tom and Jennifer’s son Joseph earned an Honorable Mention in Grade 6 essay writing at the local level.

Writing about how her older brother Bob’s mission trip to the Philippines has inspired her to become a doctor or nurse, Noelle Dean came in first locally in Grade 5 essay writing and second at the state level. “We are very proud of our daughter,” commented Barbara and Bob Dean. “She has always been gifted with a sense of joy and appreciation. The CDA essay and art contest was a wonderful avenue for her to express herself.”

Equally proud was James Nemeth, whose daughter Veronika was the first-place local and state winner in Grade 6 computer art. “There is a real honesty and conviction in the thoughts and feelings of young people, who can express the deepest of emotions in such beautiful ways. Through her interpretation of Christ as the light of the world, my daughter challenged me to think more deeply about my own faith.”

Such an impact reflects the intended purpose of the “Celebration of Excellence in Writing and the Arts,” where students express, through their writing and art, their love of the Lord and gratitude for their loving, nurturing families.