Eighth grade students from Father Marquette Catholic Academy participated in the Junior American Citizens art competition put on by the Daughters of the American Revolution recently. This year the theme was, “The 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail: Moving the Stars and Stripes Westward.” Students created either individual or group poster designs bringing the Santa Fe Trail to life to commemorate the trail’s anniversary which took place in 2021.

Grace Matt, Rowan Stensberg, Ella Henning, Lizzy McKnight, Katja Tuuri and Madalyn Croney, pictured at the photo on the right, won first place in the United States by category and grade for the banner they created. Eighth grader Matthew Reilly and 2nd grader Sonja Ylkanen won first in nationals for their posters. Sonja Ylkanen is pictured with her poster and certificate at left. FMCA first grade student Esther Grille, pictured at the bottom right, won second in nationals for her age group. Lucy Matt and Elin Betz won second as well for their sixth grade banner. For more information about the contest, visit www.nps.gov/safe/planyourvisit/santa-fe-trail-bicentennial.htm.