St. Peter’s Memorial Boasts National Winner Three Years in a Row in Annual Catholic School, Parish Contest
Written by Post Public Information Representative, May 4, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Try Prayer! It Works contest open to Catholic schools, parishes across the country, throughout the world
(Laredo, Tx) Earlier this year, Catholic schools across the country celebrated Catholic Schools Week. One of the activitieswas participation in the national Catholic organization, Holy Cross Family Ministries’ annual art, essay and poetry contest, open to all Catholic schools and parishes students from kindergarten to 12th grade. 
For the third year in a row, St. Peter’s Memorial School boasts a national winner; in fact, two winners. This year’s first place winner for second grade students was 7-year old Joe Garcia, IV. Garcia also placed third with his poem entry. Nine-year old fourth-grader JoeEllen Rodriguez tied for third place with her artwork.
“I am so proud of these outstanding students,” said Dr. Linda Marie Garcia Mitchell, principal of the historical downtown school. “These students are leaders in the classroom, and aside from excelling in academics, have applied their religious studies to their character and projects, and these awards are a testament to what they have learned and accomplished here at St. Peter’s.”
This year, the theme of the Try Prayer! It Works! Contest was “Speak, Lord; your servant is listening!” When God speaks to us today, are we ready to listen? Entries had to follow these guidelines. The contest is open to every Catholic School in the United States, as well as 12 other countries, including Mexico, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, West Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil, Peru, Ireland, Chile, Haiti and the Philippines.
Garcia’s artwork is done in simple comic book style, telling the story of “The Adventures of the Lord’s Servant.” The scene opens with a young boy, kneeling at the altar and praying the rosary, saying, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” The Lord’s advice tells the young hero to help others, including the hungry, sick and homeless. The story follows his adventures as he volunteers at a local food bank, a hospital and even a soup kitchen. The story ends with the possibility of “What’s Next?” and invites all to find out what can be done to be the Lord’s Servant. His artwork is on an 8 1/2” x 11” ivory drawing paper, done in pencil and muted jewel-toned map pencil colors.
Joey also won 3rd place with his poem, “Just Listen,” which gives examples of how humble, yet powerful, the Lord’s voice really is and how easy it is to be His servant.
Garcia has three brothers who also attend the school, and his favorite subjects in school are reading, writing, science and social studies.
Rodriguez’s art scene shows a young boy praying in an open field, beneath a rainbow and a bright sun, while an angel floats in the sky. A child’s voice is never truer when the advice in the corner reads: “When you pray to the Lord, he will always listen to you.” A radiant beam from the megaphone is a metaphor for God responding to the prayer he hears which says: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Rodriguez’s artwork is on 8 1/2” x 11” white construction paper, also done in muted jewel tone map pencil with marker highlights.
Rodriguez has one brother and two sisters, lives in Nuevo Laredo and her favorite subject in school is math.
This is Garcia’s second time placing first in this contest. He previously won two years ago as a 5-year old kindergartener. Last year, another kindergartener, John Bondoc III, also won first place with his artwork in this contest, as well.
St. Peter’s Memorial School is one of the oldest Catholic schools in Laredo. First established in 1925, the school was run under the auspices of the Ursuline Sisters until 1968, and then the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco. Now part of the Catholic Diocese of Laredo, the school offers classes from level K3 through 8th grade and this year, boasts an all-time high enrollment of 164 students.
