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The Christophers Announce Winners of Youth Video and Poster Contests

On May 20, 2025, The Christophers, a non-profit organization committed to promoting social change, revealed the winners of their annual youth contests. These events, which include The Christophers' High School Poster Contest and The Christophers' Video Contest for College Students, celebrate creativity and highlighted the theme "You can make a difference." Held for the 35th year for the Poster Contest and the 37th year for the Video Contest, the competitions attracted a plethora of inspiring entries that encapsulated the spirit of making a positive impact on society.

Sarah E. Holinski, the Youth Coordinator for The Christophers, expressed her admiration for the winning entries. "This year's winners demonstrate the continued importance of making a difference in action by highlighting some truly exceptional individuals," she said. The winning entries not only reflect individual talent but also echo the organization’s mission to be a beacon of hope amid the challenges of today’s world.

Winners of the Poster Contest

The first prize in the Poster Contest went to Alyssa Pontz, a senior at Capstone Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Her winning entry features a photograph of herself and a friend reading to children, symbolizing the profound impact that storytelling can have. The top of her poster showcases the phrase "You can make a difference" in elegant gold letters, complemented by the encouraging call to "Share your light!" below. Pontz and her friend created a book titled A Guide to Butterflies (In Your Stomach) A Book for Kids' Worries, aimed at helping children navigate their anxieties.

"It was special to work on the book and share it online," Pontz remarked, showcasing the joy and feedback they received during their readings.

Coming in second place was Sonali Hobson, a junior at University High School in Tucson, Arizona. Her compelling poster intertwines two photographs—one captures her mission trip to Kenya with her church, where she worked with children, while the other shows her holding one of these children joyously. A quote from Galatians 5:13 encapsulates her experience: "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free, but do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh. Rather, serve one another humbly, in love."

Reflecting on her journey, Hobson shared, "We ministered to the Maasai Tribe. Building a church led us to forge deep connections that truly matter."

Aryanna Duarte, a senior at Woodside High School in Woodside, California, secured third place with her poster that vividly depicts the benefits of kindness through a collage of images from her work at EPIC (Everyone Plays in Our Community) Soccer. This initiative aims to unite players of all backgrounds through the love of soccer. "The experience was about more than developing skills; it was about nurturing camaraderie and sportsmanship," Duarte explained.

Winners of the Video Contest

In the College Video Contest, the first prize was awarded to Jake Gist, a Media Production major at Belmont University in Rockwall, Texas. His video, SNAP News, celebrates his 5th-grade teacher, Mrs. Linda Lyon, honoring her dedicated years of service in education. Through student testimonials and photos, Gist showcases Lyon’s lasting impact, emphasizing that her commitment to influencing youth continues through her volunteer work with Lone Star CASA.

The second place winner, Molly Giacchi from West Seneca, New York, produced a heartwarming video titled Change Someone's World. It features her original song performed during a study hall, expressing the essence of making a difference with simple acts of kindness. Her lyrics resonate closely with The Christophers' mission, emphasizing the power each individual has to change someone else’s life.

Aditi Srivatsan of Houston Community College secured the third place with her video using the metaphor of human mosaics to illustrate interconnectedness and the influence each person can have. "During my first solo trip to Singapore, I realized how the metaphor of a mosaic would shape my understanding of community and support in the future," Aditi disclosed.

Conclusion

Founded in 1945, The Christophers aims to inspire everyone to create positive change, adhering to their motto, "It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness." The organization acknowledges and celebrates these young talents for their creative contributions, intending to stir others into action. To see the winning entries from both contests, visit their website at Christophers.org.

For more information, please contact:
David Reich
(914) 325-9997
david@thechristophers.org