2009 Education Contest Winnters

Students grateful for gifts

Although children are often accused of being selfish, ungrateful and self-centered, many are truly aware of the goodness of others and the good that they can bring to others. Catholic students from Council Bluffs were recently challenged to express that awareness in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Anthony #330 local portion of a national education contest.

Students in grades 4-12 creatively produced written, drawn, photographed and sung expressions of how God works in their lives. They could choose among six categories to submit entries. The themes for the contest were "God's Gifts in My Life" and "The Gifts I Give to Others." Judges for the writing entries were Deb Hamling and Dot Sillau. Laurel Ronk was the art judge. Rob Peters judged the photography portion. Student entries totaled more than 600.

"We have been holding this contest for so many years in this city that some of the contestants this year are children of former contestants!" Mariann Hilderbrand, Catholic Daughters coordinator of the local contest, exclaims.

"Every year the creative talent of the students astounds us," Hilderbrand said. "We in the Catholic Daughters are excited to be able to sponsor the local portion of this contest for the students in Council Bluffs. Parents should be so pleased with the way their children participate in this project every year."

First, second, third place and honorable mention winners, along with their parents and teachers, were invited to attend an awards dinner hosted by members of the CDA Court. Saint Albert administration members also attended the dinner to recognize the achievements of the students. Terri Dynek, CDA District Deputy, was a special guest at the event.

All first place entries will be sent to the state level competition. Winners at state will compete at the national level this summer. The following student winners were all from St. Albert Catholic School.

Photography
Div II 1. Emily Rindone 2. Michael Schmidt 3. Dexter Johnson HM Joseph Faust
Div III 1. Dan Pidgeon 2. Sarah Pogge 3. Brittnee Crawley HM Brandon Daley

Essay
Div I 1. Celine Helton 2. Travis Miller 3. Miranda Beezley
Div II 1. Shea Patterson 2. Jennifer Rew 3. Laura Bryant
Div III 1. Mary Faurot 2. Kaitlin Corzine 3. Ian Baer

Poetry
Div I 1. Bailey Tague 2. Christine Marar 3. Max Ross
Div II 1. Freddy Plug 2. Libby Mattingly 3. Xavier Ferrer
Div III 1. Maureen Snook 2. Amber Thomas 3. Katie Coughlin
Div IV 1. Jean Palensky

Computer Art
Div I 1. Miranda Jangula 2. Max Donaldson 3. Tommy Goodwin
Div II 1. Jacob Hedrick 2. Tessa Punteney 3. Bailey Brandenburg
Div III 1. Eric Assmann 2. Stephen Mayne 3. Matthew Veit

Art
Div I 1. Celine Helton 2. Jacey Martin 3. Rhyan Klabunde
Div II 1. Gus Doll 2. Alex Ryan 3. Victoria Kragskow
Div III 1. Ashlee Whelan 2. Katie Herrington 3. Karissa Herrrington
Div IV 1. Jean Palensky

Music
Div II 1. Bella Phillips & Maddie Munger

Catholic Daughters, the largest organization of Catholic women in the Americas, was formed "to participate in the religious charitable and educational Apostolates of the Catholic Church." The Education contest is just one of many activities that the court participates in. The seven points of need of the Catholic Church and the community that the Catholic Daughters address through their efforts and activities include: leadership, youth, legislation, education, quality of life, charitable projects, and spiritual enhancement.

March 2009

Education Contest 2009 Awards Dinner