Bishop Michael Martin signs one of his Christmas cards, featuring artwork designed by contest winner Isabella Dawson, a seventh grader from Holy Trinity Catholic School. Artwork from Elizabeth Sie, an eighth grader from Holy Trinity, graces the Catholic Schools Office Christmas card. The winners are being surprised with the news this week. (Photos provided and by Brian M. Segovia | Catholic News Herald) CHARLOTTE — Diocese of Charlotte Catholic School students broke out the watercolors, crayons, colored pencils and paint in a challenge to create the best Christmas card for Bishop Michael Martin’s Christmas Card Contest.
The bishop’s traditional annual competition resumed this year after a five-year hiatus. Beginning in October and going through Nov. 4, the diocese received about 200 entries.
Judging the contest for the very first time, Bishop Martin had a tough time choosing a winner.
Ultimately, he decided on the abstract watercolor painted by Isabella Dawson, a seventh grader from Holy Trinity School, because “it was a depiction of both the Nativity and the Cross.”
Dawson will receive a certificate and $50 VISA gift card. The Christmas cards will be sent to more than 500 of the bishop’s family, friends and colleagues. The inside message is, “May you see the joy of Jesus in your family and His hopeful promise in whatever cross you may bear.”
Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic Schools, handpicked the second-place winner, Elizabeth Sie, an eighth grader also from Holy Trinity School, who will receive a $25 VISA gift card.
Her colored pencil drawing reads “Merry Christmas,” with two angels holding a banner above the Nativity, proclaiming, “Glory to the newborn King.” The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) will send her card to parishes, school departments, community partners and principals across the diocese.
Elizabeth Sie, an eighth grader also from Holy Trinity School, recieved recognition for her card design.
“With so many extremely talented student artists across our 20 schools, it was very difficult to choose a single winner,” Monroe said.
“In the end, the way the beautiful imagery, thoughtful use of negative space and bright yet reverent color palette in this card came together in a unique way to draw our eyes to the birth of the Christ child,” he said.
The inside of the CSO Christmas card will also feature small images of the honorable mentions: Immaculate Heart of Mary seventh grader An Le’s painting of a stained-glass window with the
Nativity scene and Angel Gabriel in the background, and the crayon portrayal of the Nativity designed by fifth-grader Caroline Henrich from St. Gabriel.
The inside message reads, “Believe in the Miracle of Christmas,” with a verse from Luke’s Gospel, “The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.’”
— Lisa M. Geraci
Isabella Dawson, a seventh grader from Holy Trinity School, recieved recognition for her winning card design.