Emily Kodicek, a young Catholic in pre-K, was jumping up and down as she took home the grand prize at this year’s Most Holy Trinity Marian Shrine Contest April 25. Sixth-grader Kira Fischer was the first runner up and Thomas O’Meara was the second runner up.
Judges recognized many other young Catholics during the contest (listed below).
“This is all about the kids and the Blessed Virgin,” according to Monica Blasko, who coordinated the event. “We’re promoting devotion to her. She leads us to her Son — she leads us to Jesus.”
Blasko’s mother, the late Judy McAdams, started the shrine contest a quarter century ago. McAdams, a member of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, participated in a Marian shrine contest as a child. “I’m a good copy cat,” she wrote when describing the contest.
The shrine contest at Most Holy Trinity fulfills three aims of the sodality, McAdams wrote: to sanctify self, to sanctify neighbor, and to defend the faith.
McAdams asked the Knights of Columbus, who are also devoted to the Blessed Mother, to co-sponsor the contest.
“We really want the kids to think about this as a family,” said Blasko, whose children participated and now help judge the contest. “The kids are so excited to do this. They’re so excited to show off their shrines. They all cheer for each other and their faces light up.”
MOST HOLY TRINITY 25th ANNUAL MARIAN SHRINE CONTEST 2013 WINNERS
See more photos from the contest here
- Grand Prize – Emily Kodicek (Pre-K)
- First Runner Up – Kira Fischer (6)
- Second Runner Up – Thomas O’Meara (K)
Lower Division (Pre-K, kindergarten, first grade)
- First Place – Emmanuel Alva (K)
- Second Place – Angel Villa (1)
- Third Place – Ashling Faaborg (Pre K)
Special Merit
- Nadia Zielinski (PK)
- Daniel Florez (PK)
- Isabelle Mejia (K)
- Delaney Maioyer (K)
- Rebecca Gillesbie (1)
- James Ice (K)
- Hemen Haily (K)
- Georgina Chavez (1)
Honorable Mention
- Renee (no last name on entry) (PK)
- Tiffany (no last name) (PK)
- Margorie Auger (PK)
- Gaby (no last name) (PK)
- Ava Gonzales (1)
- Elena Castellanos (1)
- Dana Hohl (K)
- Angelina Chavez (K)
- Emmanuel Ava-Salvador (K)
- Robert Cadena (PK)
- Nicholas Mathurin (K)
Middle Division (second, third and fourth grade)
- First Place – Maren Brownie (4)
- Second Place – Miguel Esteban Martinez (2)
- Third Place – Damion Benhan (2)
Special Merit
- Hannah Thai (4)
- Demi Thai (2)
- Juan Pablo (2)
- Rocio Valdez (3)
- Adriana Palma (3)
- Katherine Gil (3)
Honorable Mention
- Caitlin Devereaux (4)
- Felicity Rodriguez (4)
- Owen Kodicek (2)
- William Feldhake (2)
- Michael Garcia (3)
- Kathleen Kuhn (3)
- Kately Cowan (3)
- John Miller (3)
- Sarah Stable (2)
- Madison Eilva (4)
- Zareth Tejada (2)
- Jacob Jendrisak (2)
UPPER DIVISION (fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade)
- First Place – Seamus O’Meara (7)
- Second Place – Isis Sandoval (6)
- Third Place – Gabrielle Gaspard (8)
Special Merit
- Jack Olson (6)
- Noah Gordan (6)
- Erick Castellanos (5)
- Elijah Baldenegn (5)
- Lauren Kuman (6)
- Casey McCann (7)
Honorable Mention
- Miguel Pascual (7)
- Jackie Areola (7)
- Khang Tong (7)
- Branden Gamboa (8)
- Israel Durante (8)
- Gabrielle O’ Meara (5)
- Morgan Stabile (6)
- Adam Baratta (6)
- Kaye Arne (5)
- Vianney Zomaripa (5)
- Emily Akin (7)
- Haily Fadden (6)
