Wabash Valley youth celebrate the work of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin through art

The creativity, ingenuity, talent and determination of young Wabash Valley artists was on display during the Sisters of Providence 8th annual Youth Art Contest reception Thursday, March 13, in Providence Spirituality and Conference Center at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

More than 90 people attended the reception in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room in which this year’s 45 entries from talented youth in the Wabash Valley were displayed. This was the eighth year for the contest. The theme was “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin – A woman and her work.” The many thoughtful art pieces received highlighted Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s work in America to establish the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. Saint Mother Theodore worked in many areas that are still in use today by teaching, gardening, caring for the poor and loving animals.

Youth between ages 5 and 18 who reside in Vigo, Parke, Vermillion, Clay and Sullivan counties in Indiana and Clark, Edgar and Crawford counties in Illinois were encouraged to enter. Each artist who entered the contest received a Certificate of Participation, a ribbon and a free admission pass to the Terre Haute Children’s Museum.

The winners by category:

Ages 14-18
First place: Chrislyn Marrs, West Vigo High School, age 15, “A Woman and Her Work.”

Second place: Ashley Walker, McLean, age 16, “An Endless Legacy.”

Third place: Yzabel Tió, Terre Haute North Vigo High School, age 14, “The Flower of Her Life.”

(2) Honorable Mentions: Emily Houser, St. Patrick Catholic School, age 15, “A Loving Teacher.”

Rachel Vicars, South Vermillion High School, age 16, “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.”

Ages 11-13
First place: Claire Lueking, home school, age 12, “Mother Theodore’s Many Talents.”

Second place: Britany App, Riverton Parke Jr/Sr High School, age 13, “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.”

Third place: Crispin Ewen, St. Patrick Catholic School, age 12, “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, Prayerful Teachings.”

Honorable Mention: Adin Shepherd, Shepherd’s Path Home School, age 13, “New Earth.”

Ages 8-10
First place: Kennedy Wilkerson, St. Patrick Catholic School, age 9, “Hard Work.”

Second place: Trinity Miranda, Dixie Bee Elementary School, age 10, “Love, Mercy and Justice.”

Third place: Celine Park, St. Patrick Catholic School, age 9, “Saint Mother Theodore Gurein, as a teacher, animal lover and gardener.”

(3) Honorable Mentions: Andrew Kinne, St. Patrick Catholic School, age 9, “Building of the Shell Chapel.”

Megan Moshak, St. Patrick Catholic School, age 9, “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin Teaching.”

Sophia Miranda, Dixie Bee Elementary School, age 8, “Leading the Sisters to a Better Future.”

Ages 5-7
First place: Melanie Latham, St. Patrick Catholic School, age 5, “Mission of Love.”

Second place: William Kinne, St. Patrick Catholic School, age 7, “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin – gathering herbs to make medicine.”

Third place: Valeria Juarez, St. Patrick Catholic School, age 7, Untitled.

Honorable Mention – Heather Crouch, Lost Creek Elementary School, age 7, “Thank you God.”

First- through third-place winners received cash prizes, certificates and ribbons. Those that received the honorable mention designation also received certificates and ribbons. Cash awards were provided by Terre Haute Savings Bank, courtesy of Bart Colwell, bank CEO and president.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) Executive Director of Admissions, Michael Brown, presented each of the first-place winners with a $1,000 scholarship to attend the college or enroll in the Woods External Degree Program.

Terre Haute Children’s Museum Executive Director Lynn Hughes provided ALL 45 participants in the art contest with an admission ticket to the museum.

The certificates were awarded by General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson and ribbons and cash awards were presented by Sister Dawn Tomaszewski and Sister Lisa Stallings, both general officers for the Congregation.

Sister Denise welcomed guests and thanked this year’s sponsors for their continued support. Sister Ann Casper, executive director of the Mission Advancement office, served as emcee, introduced staff and contest judges and invited the public to several events including Earth Day, April 26, and Family Day, June 8.

Judges for the contest were Andrea Beyke, campus minister, SMWC, Pam Lynch, senior graphic designer/project manager with the Sisters of Providence, Rebecca Andrews, associate professor of Graphic Design and Department Chair, SMWC and Debbie Victor, manager of The Gift Shop at Providence Center.

Beginning Tuesday, March 18, the winners’ artwork will be displayed on the first floor of Owens Hall across from the temporary location of The Gift Shop. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.