This year’s winning artwork is by Harrison Dardis, 11, a fifth-grader at Regina Catholic Education Center in Iowa City. He is a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Coralville.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
Harrison
When fifth-grader Harrison Dardis of Regina Catholic Education Center in Iowa City learned he was the winner of the 2024 Catholic Messenger Christmas Card contest, his smile was “from ear to ear,” said Principal Celeste Vincent. She was on speakerphone with Harrison and The Catholic Messenger for announcement of the good news.
“I am?” he asked. “I forgot about the contest. I never expected this. It’s crazy that my artwork is going to be in The Catholic Messenger.”
Harrison, 11, was one of 363 youths in grades K-6 who submitted entries for the annual contest.
He completed the artwork at home using an airbrush and paint markers. “I sketched in light pencil first,” he said. “That was the hardest part.”
The “classic” Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus came to his mind to inspire his artwork. “That is what Christmas is about.”
Although he was unsure of the official name of the artistic style he used for the artwork, it was similar to hatch marks. “This is one of the coolest projects I’ve done.”
2024 Christmas Card contest winners – click on images below to see larger versions.
First place in the grades K-2 category: Emma Hodapp, 8, a second-grader at Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic School and Ss. Mary & Mathias Parish in Muscatine.
Second place in the grades K-2 category: EJ Pennock, 6, a first-grader at St. Joseph Catholic School and Parish in DeWitt.
Third place in the grades K-2 category: Emery Drury, 8, a second-grader at Camanche School and Church of the Visitation Parish in Camanche.
First place in the grades 3-4 category: Lindy Minino, 9, a fourth-grader at St. James Catholic School and Parish in Washington.
Second place in the grades 3-4 category: Sadie Van Daele, 9, a fourth-grader at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School and Parish in Davenport.
Third place in the grades 3-4 category: Landree Marcussen, 9, a third-grader at Lakeview Elementary and St. Mary Parish in Centerville.
First place in the grades 5-6 category: Aubrey Djafalo, 12, a sixth-grader at Regina Catholic Education Center and St. Mary Parish in Iowa City.
Second place in the grades 5-6 category: Laci James, 10, a fifth-grader at Regina Catholic Education Center in Iowa City.
First place in the grades K-2 category: Emma Hodapp, 8, a second-grader at Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic School and Ss. Mary & Mathias Parish in Muscatine.
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