“He would’ve been happy to see His friends, His Apostles and His family, to see His mother once again,” she said. “He was using the strength He had of God within Him to bring Himself up from hell.”

The 12-year-old Grade 7 student from Maple, Ont., captured that sense of joy in a digital drawing that took top prize in the Grade 7-8 category of The Catholic Register’s annual Easter drawing contest.

Her entry (shown on the cover) was created entirely on the computer over three days using an online sketching program. The vines at the bottom of the image represent hell and the strong branches above are heaven. The vines are “much weaker” she said, so Jesus was able to use the sturdy branches to provide “more strength” for His Resurrection rather than “being pulled down.”

Dela Cruz’s winning entry, along with the winners in the two other categories, are displayed on these pages. They’re joined by several other entries from among some 200 submissions that caught our eye.

In the Grade 1-3 category, the winner is Emma Zambrano, a Grade 3 student from Mississauga, Ont. All the judges were impressed with her use of colour and the quality of her detailed drawing.

In the Grade 4-6 category, the winner is Kiara Motto, a Grade 4 student from Maple, Ont. She dazzled the judges with a water-colour painting that showed Jesus outside the tomb with an angel announcing His Resurrection.

Each of the winners will receive a $50 gift certificate for a day at the movies.

To all who submitted a drawing, thank you and Happy Easter!

Jim O’Leary

Publisher and Editor

Grades 1–3 (Winner: Emma Zambrano, Grade 3)

Grades 4-6 (Winner: Kiara Motta, Grade 4) 

Grades 7-8 (Winner: Jaslyn Dela Cruz, Grade 7)