Hundreds of Catholic school and religious education students participated in this year’s St. Patrick Coloring Contest, hosted by five local divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. All kindergarten through fourth grade contestants were given the same image of St. Patrick, holding his signature shamrock, to color as creatively as possible.
Third grader Kaitlyn Difilipo of Holy Cross Academy in Fredericksburg won the grand prize — $50 — thanks to her careful shading and aesthetically pleasing color combination of greens, blues and yellows. First-, second- and third-place winners also were recognized in each participating grade.
The Hibernians hope the contest helped the students learn more about the patron saint of Ireland and his missionary zeal, said Harry Flynn of the Father Mychal Judge OFM Division in Triangle. St. Patrick’s famous metaphor depicted in the drawing is still helpful today. “We hope they find out about the shamrock (representing) the three parts of the Trinity,” he said.
List of winners
GRAND PRIZE, Kaitlyn Difilipo of Holy Cross Academy in Fredericksburg
Kindergarden
First Place: Connolly Nichol of St. Francis of Assisi
Second Place: Maddie Laird of St. William of York
Third Place: Michael Jeanlouis of St. Francis of Assisi
First Grade
First Place: Clare Wigger of Basilica of St. Mary
Second Place: Eve Slattery of Basilica of St. Mary
Third Place: Anne O’Kane pf Basilica of St. Mary
Second Grade
First Place: Benjamin Mugula of St. Francis of Assisi
Second Place: Kateri Hall of All Saints
Third Place: Sophia Raymundo of Our Lady of Angels
Third Grade
First Place: Scarlett Miller Holy Cross Academy
Second Place: Mai Le Vajquez of Holy Family
Third Place: Rose Tessier of All Saints
Fourth Grade
First Place: Kiara Vargas Pozo of Holy Family
Second Place: Claire Polsinelli of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More
Third Place: Emily Pajak of Linton Hall School
