by Pam Kay

On Friday, February 25, a group of dedicated judges put their heads together to select the 2011 CDA Education Contest winners. Judges included Fred and Liz Chavez, Shirley Yost and Charles and Anne Moeller. We thank them for their enthusiasm and sensitivity while judging entries. The theme that students wrote essays for or created original artwork for was “The Lord is my Light.” All participating students are enrolled at Santa Sophia Academy.

First and second place prizes were awarded in each division. First prize is $25.00 and second prize is $10.00.

Artwork was entered in Division 1, which included students in grade 5, and also in Division 2, which includes those in grades 6-7-8. Elise Garcia, grade 5 won first place in Division 1 and Megan McCarthy, grade 7 won first place. The photograph of the 1st place entries in Division 1 and 2 are pictured here.

Essays were submitted only in Division 2. The winning essay, as written by 7th grader Hannah Lawson, is printed below:

The Lord is My Light

“The Lord is My Light” means several things to me. It means that the Lord helps me to see right from wrong; similar to how a light bulb helps you see in the dark. It also means that He is there to guide me through hardships and relationships. Lastly, it means that He is a window that brings light to all of my situations, both good and bad. It is a comforting feeling to have the Lord as my light because, like a candle, He is warm and He will always be there, even when I fail to make the right choices.

My conscience helps me to see right from wrong. It is the light that guides my actions. Following the light will lead to a happy life and a good relationship with God. When I do not follow the light I must repent to God and build up my relationship once more. I strive to follow my light.

The Lord has been my light and has guided my family through many hardships. The Lord was my light when I was stressed about homework. God was my father’s light when he was going through graduate school. He was my mother’s light when she had the flu. He was my grandmother’s light when she broke her ankle. The Lord has never burned out on us as our light.

The Lord has brought light to many of my situations. When I found money, he told me to turn it in. I was angry, and He told me to let it go. I was sad, and He lifted my spirits. I am thankful that He is my window, my guide and my friend.

I believe that the Lord is in each and every one of us. He represents love and compassion. When we recognize that love or compassion in others and ourselves we find the true light inside of everyone. That is what “The Lord is My Light” truly means to me.

Winning Art Entries

Attention moms, grandmothers, and aunts! Court Santa Sophia is sponsoring an Education contest for students in grades 4-8. The theme for this year’s contest is, “The Lord is my Light.” Students from the Santa Sophia Academy and students from Nativity Prep Academy will be participating in the contest, but if you have a child, grandchild or niece or nephew in the area who does not attend these schools and would like to participate, they may submit a 500 word essay or produce original artwork on a 12” x 18” piece of paper. The deadline for submission is February 15. More information is available by calling Pam Kay at 619-464-2009.

You can download the contest rules and entry form by clicking here. Or you can visit our Resources page.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas are offering several scholarships for 2011:

• 2011 CDA California State Scholarship – DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2011
  Applicants must be entering college, may be male or female, must be related to a Catholic Daughter, and sponsored by a California Local Court.
  Click here to download application

• Father Leonard Bachman Graduate Scholarship – DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2011
  Two Graduate Scholarships – $3000 first and $1000 second will be awarded Nationally. For CDA members or relatives of CDA members who have completed UNDERGRADUATE studies and who desire assistance for tuition in order to continue studies on the graduate level.
  Click here to download application
  
• 2011 CDA California State Scholarship - DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2011
  The California State Court will award $750 and $500 scholarships for high school seniors entering college. Applicants must be related to a Catholic Daughter and sponsored by a California Local Court. Winners will be announced at the CDA State Convention in May 2011.
  Click here to download application
  
• Youth – For 8th grade entering 9th grade in a Public/Private High School - DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2011
  The National Court will award a $500 scholarship to an 8th grade student entering the 9th grade in the fall of 2011 to a Public or Private High School.
  Click here to download application
  
• Youth – For 8th grade entering 9th grade in a Catholic High School – DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2011
  The National Court will award a $500 scholarship to an 8th grade student entering the 9th grade in the fall of 2011 to a Catholic High School.
  Click here to download application

Good luck to those who apply!

The 2010 Education Contest was a success! Entries were submitted by 4th through 8th graders from Santa Sophia Academy in the Essay, Art, and Photography Categories. The judges have selected six 1st place winners and four 2nd place winners. We were able to submit two winners in Essay and Photography categories in Division II and two winners in Art and Essay categories in Division I.

Special thanks to our judges who have a background in education and to Pam Kay to opening her home during the judging!

Here are the judges in action:

We are thrilled to see such a great turnout for our very first Education Contest! This year’s theme was “God’s Gifts in My Life” and entries were submitted in the categories of essay and art. Entries in Division II (6th, 7th, and 8th graders) were submitted last Friday, February 13th and were judged on February 20th. Our judges were non-CDA volunteers that had backgrounds in education.

Many hours were spent poring over 120+ entries in both essay and art. Ultimately, the entries were whittled down to six 1st and 2nd place winners in the essay category and two 1st place winners in the art category.

Thank you to Pam Kay who hosted the judging session at a dinner in her lovely home. And many thanks to our judges, Steve and Linda Crabtree, Faris and Sana Auro, and Jerry Kay. We really appreciate the hard work you put into making this contest a success!

Winners will soon be announced at an assembly at Santa Sophia Academy. Below are photos of the judges in action: