By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
BETTENDORF — Her eyes widened and a smile came across the face of Ellyanna Johnson when told she won this year’s contest to design The Catholic Messenger Christmas Card.
Ellyanna, 11, a sixth-grader at Lourdes Catholic School, said she entered the contest for the first time this year. “It’s my first year at Lourdes.”
In art class, students received an assignment to design a Christmas card. Ellyanna chose to feature Jesus, Mary and Joseph in her drawing because of the special moment their presence shows. She first drew the Holy Family, then started adding to the picture. She added the sky last. She also chose not to go with solid colors and really liked the final product.
Lourdes art teacher Kassi Moorehead said she required students in grades kindergarten through sixth to participate (the grade cut-off for the contest). Students had two days in class to work on their cards. Their art teacher also allowed them to take their artwork home and return it to school the next day.
“I think Ellyanna is very worthy of the title of winner this year. She is very creative and tries hard on every project in art.”
Moorehead said the students were excited to participate and could not wait to learn the winner’s identity. When Ellyanna learned the good news, the school could share the news.
Throughout the Davenport Diocese, students in grades kindergarten through sixth submitted 685 entries. You can view the first, second and third-place winners here.
