Article by Sydney Samuelson '20
My
experience at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception in Washington, D.C. was great during this past weekend. I
was able to tour the Basilica and see the other winners' artwork. I was
also able to attend mass and a luncheon afterwards. Although I was not
the grand prize winner, it was an honor to be one of the 24 winners of
MCA 2015-2016 Christmas Artwork Contest.
Since
the 1st grade, I have had a deep love for art. I have always been the
kind of person who likes to try new techniques such as charcoal all the
way to watercolors all thanks to my art teacher, Ms. Lonie Yuschik. She
has always inspired me to do my best. In my 1st grade year, I'd won a
contest called "Respect for life," which featured my artwork in a
calendar. In my layer later years, I had my artwork displayed in
Middlesex County College and all across my town.
Several
years before, I'd enter the Pontifical Mission Society's Christmas card
contest hoping to win. After years of no luck, my younger brother
Shane Samuelson had won in 2013-2014. After that, I knew I could do it
and it motivated me to create a piece of artwork that showed my best
artistic talents. In 8th grade year at St. Joseph School in Carteret,
Nj, I'd finally won. I was in awe!
When asked
to say what inspired me to create my artwork, I would have to say my
love for Mary and the journey she went through to have Jesus.