The 2023 Catholic Daughters of the Americas Education Contest was recently held. Students from local Catholic schools, grades 4-8, competed in the categories of Poetry, Essay Writing, Art, and Digital (Computer) Art. The themes of this year's contest were "We Walk by Faith not by Sight" and "When Do I Have to Lean on my Faith More than Sight." The purpose of the contest is to help young students grow in their faith while also developing their literary and artistic talents.

The Alexandria schools that participated included our parish school, St. Rita Catholic School, Blessed Sacrament School, and St. Louis Catholic School. Awards were presented to 22 students at a ceremony held on Monday evening, May 8th, in our Lyceum Auditorium. 

Father Hathaway presented the awards, assisted by CDA Education Contest Co-chairmen Mary Cahill and Marguerite McAuliffe. A reception was held immediately following the presentation of the awards. 
 

Here are the winners from our students:
Poetry Div I

1st Place -- James Costello
3rd Place -- Finley Philbin

Poetry Div II
1st Place -- Nico Trapasso
Essay Div II
3rd Place -- Michael Simpson

Digital Art -- Div II
2nd Place -- Fiona Roehl
3rd Place -- Michael Costello

Both of the Basilica's 1st-Place winners, James Costello and Nico Trapasso, also placed 1st in the State of Virginia CDA Contest. Their entries have been submitted to our National Contest, with results expected to be announced sometime this summer.