Congratulations to the more than 300 students from Assumption Catholic School and the Parish School of Religion (PSR) for participating in the annual Knights of Columbus (K of C) O’Fallon Council #2269 poster and essay contests this year. On Friday, Jan. 20, during a school prayer service at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Ken Thornhill of the Knights of Columbus announced the winners of the Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest and the Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest. Of the many entries, four of the winners have advanced to the international contests for consideration.

Using their creative talents and imaginations, students ages 5-14 who participated in the poster contest were asked to submit artwork that portrayed a deeper understanding of the true, spiritual meaning of Christmas. For the essay contest, participants in 6th-8th grades were asked to write short stories that expressed their views about the topic, “How do I evangelize family and friends.” Overall, six, first place winners were awarded cash prizes, and several students acquired honorable mentions for their work. Everyone who entered the contests took home a certificate of appreciation for participating.

Congratulations to the following 2022-23 poster and essay contest winners:

• Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest:
6th-8th Grades - First Place: Melody Gagliano
Honorable Mentions: Nora Bertel, Lizzie Lifritz and Brooklynn Douglas

3rd-5th Grades - First Place: Ben Goff
Honorable Mentions: Lex Felix, Cooper Gonzalez and Ethan Heiss

K-2nd Grades - First Place: Nora Reller
Honorable Mentions: Grace Meyer and Charlotte Conley

• Catholic Citizenship Essay, “How do I evangelize family and friends,” Contest:
8th Grade - First Place: Meagan Davies
Honorable Mentions: Declan Jeffries and Isabel Fontana

7th Grade - First Place: Danica Willis
Honorable Mentions: Jack Chitwood and Lizzie Lifritz

6th Grade - First Place: Kate Eckhard
Honorable Mentions: Noah Kleckner and Brody Bross

Winning poster entries from Melody Gagliano, Ben Goff and Nora Reller, along with the winning essay from Meagan Davies, have advanced to the Knights of Columbus International competition that will be announced in March.

For more information about the contests, please contact Ken Thornhill with the Knights of Columbus at gocurtis28@gmail.com.