Caroline Toomey, a fifth-grader at Regina Catholic Schools in Iowa City produced the winning entry for this year’s Catholic Messenger Christmas card contest.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
IOWA CITY — “The best gift we got,” written at the bottom of this year’s Catholic Messenger Christmas card contest winning entry, summed up colorful visual art expressing the idea that Jesus is our gift.
More than 490 entries were submitted by students in grades K-6 this year for the annual competition. Caroline Toomey, 10, a fifth-grader at Regina Catholic Schools in Iowa City, won the overall contest. Students competed for first, second or third place in several different categories.
On a day earlier this month when there was a delayed start for school, Principal Celeste Vincent called The Catholic Messenger staff. The educator summoned the first place artist to her office after the students arrived. While on speaker phone, Caroline was told she is this year’s winner. Silence then filled the room, with Vincent describing the “big smile across her (Caroline’s) face.”
Caroline said it was “amazing” and “awesome” to learn she won.
The design of the card has many different images drawn in color pencil. The artist said the idea of Jesus being a gift to all of us popped into her mind. She talked with her mom about ideas.
The infant Jesus, wearing a crown, is inside a gift box — He is a present to us. A cross is adorned with a string of lights. A bell “sounds” in the corner. A star and angel are in the sky.
The fifth grader likes painting and coloring so entering the contest was a great opportunity to hone her skills. “I love art,” Caroline said. “It’s so much fun.”
“My mom knew I had a chance at winning,” she added.
Vincent, in the background as the student spoke on the phone, said they should call Caroline’s mom when done with The Catholic Messenger. “Her smile is five yards wide,” Vincent said.
2025 Christmas card contest winners
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