The 2016 Basket of Cheer Contest: 4 Categories, 4 Winners

The ‘Basket of Cheer’ is something Seton has celebrated each year with our Seton families, inviting them to share recipes, news and Christmas greetings from around the world.

Now, Seton is launching a new contest with 4 prize categories and a single winner for each. You can enter as many as you wish!

Open to Seton High School students, grades 9-12.

Category 1: Christmas Art

(Formerly the Winter Quarter Art Challenge)

In any medium you like – painting, sketch, pencil, charcoals. The theme is the annunciation of the angels to the shepherds, Luke 2:8-15.

One finalist will be selected from this category. If there are sufficient entries of note, we will have honorable mentions published here online.

Category 2: Christmas Story

Any story you like relating to Christmas. Word counts must cap at 3000 words. Submissions will be reviewed for the best quality and attention to the craft of writing, grammar, and composition, apart from being a story of note to share with the Seton community.

One finalist will be selected from this category. If there are sufficient entries of note, we will have honorable mentions published here onlin.

Category 3: Christmas Poetry

Explore any theme you like regarding Christmas. We are not looking for free verse at this time. Entries must display a competent handle of rhythm, rhyming and good use of alliteration and assonance. Only submissions of the highest quality will be selected for the finalist position.

One finalist will be selected from this category. If there are sufficient entries of note, we will have honorable mentions published here online.

Category 4: Christmas Tradition

Write about a Christmas tradition that you and your family have enjoyed celebrating. Word count is capped at 1200 words. Structure your piece properly like an essay, with an introduction paragraph, several body paragraphs explaining the observation of the tradition, perhaps its historical practice, and why you would like to see more popularity for this tradition. End with a final paragraph briefly summarizing the points you made.

One finalist will be selected from this category. If there are sufficient entries of note, we will have honorable mentions published here online.

How to Enter

Register for free to enter the contest. All registrants will be part of a special emailing list to keep you updated and informed about the contest.

Prizes:

All submissions will be judged by grade level, with the potential for first and second place finalists for each grade.

• 1st place: $50
• 2nd place: $35

Contest Rules

Open to Seton high school students, grades 9-12. Research and write about an obscure, ethnic and/or forgotten Christmas tradition. (We are not looking for family traditions that you/your family may have invented, however wonderful they may be.)

This year, instead of celebrating aspects of the Christmas season that we are all familiar with, explore your family history, your county or country’s traditions, or learn more about a tradition that is no longer remembered. Topics can include cultural activites, particular rites, certain foods and their preparation, etc.

We see this as an opportunity for us all to learn more about how Christmas is celebrated around the world, and a way to revive interest in our many beautiful and rich traditions.

Contestants must:

• Not use Wikipedia. You can start there as a point of reference, but do not base your article on it/use it as part of your bibliography.
• Show your Bibliography/list of books & websites cited at the end of your submission. You should try to have around 5 sources.

For their article, contestants must:

1. Show the origin of the tradition
2. Discuss the way it is currently observed, if at all
3. Explore how your and your family may observe this tradition, or what it has been like to start.

Maximum Length: 5000 words Any questions? Ask away!