The Christophers announced eight winners today in their Nineteenth Annual Poster Contest for High School Students.

Students from grades 9 through 12 were invited to create a poster that interprets the theme, “You Can Make a Difference.” This year’s contest drew entries from high schools across the United States and around the world. The diversity of the posters reflected not only the regions and countries represented, but the individuality of the students themselves and their concerns – with environmental issues, global poverty and the importance of individual participation in politics coming to the fore this year.

The $1,000 First Prize was awarded to Alyssa Gorman, a homeschooled student in Plano, Texas, whose evocative image of an anonymous walker’s feet
on rain-drenched asphalt reminds us that, “No one is meant to walk alone.”

Evelyn Sisk, a junior at Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, Wash., took the $500 Second Prize for her image of a vivid sunflower and the exhortation to
“Shine.” The Third Prize of $250 went to Helena, Mont., homeschooler Catherine Gray, for her colorful illustration of people reaching out to others.

Five other entrants were chosen to receive honorable mentions of $100 each. Honorable Mentions were: Megan Cyhanick, Westminster High School, Finksburg, Md.; Katelyn Gray, Mansfield High School, Mansfield, Texas; Coleen Heaver, Westminster High School, Finksburg, Md.; Emily Karsh, Franklin
High School, Reisterstown, Md.; Chyi-Dean Shu, Arnold O. Beckman High School, Irvine, Caflifornia. Photos of the winning posters can be seen on the Christophers’ Web site.

Maryknoll Father James Keller founded the Christophers in 1945 with the purpose of encouraging individuals to use their God-given talents to make a positive difference. The ancient Chinese proverb, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,” guides its publishing, radio and awards programs.