Louisville Student Earns Christophers Poster Award

The Christophers have named the top prize winners in their annual student contests — the 32nd Annual Poster Contest for High School Students and the 34th Annual Video Contest for College Students — and a Louisville student took second place.

The poster contest invited students in grades 9 through 12 to create a poster that interprets the timeless theme, "You Can Make a Difference." Nearly 500 entries from across the United States were received, using a wide range of media from personalized photograph collages to highly detailed paintings.

Second-prize winner and Central High School senior Conyae Cherry's poster emphasizes the value of education in a young person's life. A photograph shows Cherry reading to children at a local YMCA in her hometown of Louisville, KY. Written across the top and bottom of the poster are the words, "You can make a difference … starting with the power of knowledge."

The first prize winner, a senior at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, FL, Camila Escobar depicts herself as a young toddler in her black and white hand-drawn portrait. In the poster, young Escobar is being helped to walk by a man whose face is hidden, but whom Camila reveals in a note to the Christophers to be her late grandfather. The caption of her submission reads, "No matter how small, you can make a difference."

"My grandfather [was] always very present in my life," Escobar wrote, "from my very first steps to his last. He always told me that I impacted his life, and reminded him of his youth, which is why I wanted to use this for the theme 'anyone can make a difference.' Despite being so young while he was alive, I know I made a difference in his life."   

Escobar will be minoring in art and design at the University of Michigan next fall and the prize money will go toward her education."

Third prize winner John Devereux, a senior at Kennard-Dale High School in Grove, PA, takes a more personal approach in his poster, featuring a photograph of himself and his grandmother, wheelchair bound and glowing with joy as she leans against her smiling grandson.

Tony Rossi, The Christophers' Director of Communications, and Sarah E. Holinski, The Christophers' Youth Coordinator, observed, "Our winning poster entries this year continue to run the gamut on making a difference in action, from the blessing of adoption to the importance of giving of our time and talents, whether reaching out in love and friendship to the elderly, or fundraising for a worthy cause. They show how, big or small, in a group or alone, each of us possesses the ability and drive to change our world for the better."

The Christophers also announced the winners of their 34th Annual Video Contest for College Students, for film or video that communicates the belief that one person can make a difference. This year's contest drew nearly 100 entries from throughout the United States.

First prize winner is Ella Stone, of Lewisville, TX and is a 16-year-old math major at Southern New Hampshire University. Second prize winner Aidan O'Neill, of Chicopee, MA and is a Westfield State University communications major

Tony Rossi and Sarah E. Holinski of The Christophers said, "This year's prize-winning films showcase some truly remarkable individuals who have managed to rise above even the most insurmountable obstacles to achieve their goals in life."

To see the winning videos and posters, visit www.Christophers.org and click on "Youth."