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VOCATIONS AWARENESS CONTEST
The links have information on the 2025 NAM Vocations Awareness Contest. This year we have all new topics to stimulate interest and participation. In the linked documents you will find the materials that you can reproduce for your students.
Deadline: May 31, 2025
There are two(2) options for the Vocations Awareness Contest: either poster or essay.
Grades K-1
Story: The Feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13–21, John 6:1–14)
Poster: How do you think the people felt when they saw Jesus feed so many with just a little? Draw a picture about it.
Essay: What does it mean to share with others? Write about a time when you helped someone, just like the little boy shared his food with Jesus.​
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Grades 2-3
Story: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32)
These suggestions are based on the Jubilee of Hope 2025
Poster: Draw the story of the Prodigal Son.
Essay: The father in the story forgave his son and welcomed him home. Why do you think forgiveness is important? Write about a time when you forgave someone or were forgiven.
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Grades 4-6
​Story: Joseph Forgives His Brothers (Genesis 45:1–15)
Poster: Draw the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers.
Essay: Joseph forgave his brothers even though they hurt him. How does forgiveness bring hope and healing to people? What can we learn from Joseph about having hope when things don’t go our way? Share an example from your own life or what you imagine.
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Grades 7-9
Story: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)
Poster: Draw the story of the Good Samaritan
​Essay: The Good Samaritan helped a stranger in need. How can acts of kindness inspire hope in others and bring people closer together? Think about a time when you saw someone in need and describe how you could show God’s love to them.
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Grades 10-12
Story: Jesus Heals the Woman with hemorrhage (Mark 5:25–34)
Poster: Draw the story of Jesus healing the hemorrhaging woman.
​Essay: The woman showed great faith and hope by reaching out to Jesus for healing. How does faith shape our understanding of hope during difficult times? In the Jubilee of Hope, we are called to trust in God’s provision and restoration. How does the story of Jesus healing the woman reflect the themes of hope and renewal, and how can it apply to challenges in today’s world?
Contest Guidelines
1) All entries must be the original work of the entrant. Any previously submitted entries or entries that are noticeably not the work of the individual student will be disqualified.
2) Each student may only enter in ONE category. No Group entries. This is an individual student competition.
3) Each parish may submit up to 3 entries per category/grade level.
4) Posters must be on 14 x 22 Poster Board paper. Any other paper format will be disqualified.
5) Entries must be clearly marked on the back & grouped by age group with a paperclip or divider.
6) Individual participants can mail their entries, but must indicate parish affiliation, city and state.
7) Entries must have student's name, address, parish, grade level & age. Clearly written or typed.
8) All entries must be post marked by May 31st, 2025, and mailed to the address below.
Please send all entrants to:
St. George Maronite Church
6070 Babcock Rd
San Antonio, Texas 78240
(210)-690-9569
Vocations Director:
Deborah Fernandez
(210)-415-8260
Any questions can be emailed to: Debmusic@sbcglobal.net
Judges: The judging will be done by a team of volunteer professionals with educational, theological, and technical backgrounds. All decisions of the judging team are Final. Winners will be featured at the NAM Convention.
Prizes (1 per grade group/category): 1st Place: $100, 2nd Place: $75, 3rd Place: $50
Please make sure all participants follow the directions, especially those on entries. As always, we count upon you to collect and forward your parish entries in a timely manner. You may forward submissions as soon as your local parish contest is completed.
Coordination is Key
Please coordinate with your local delegates so the prizes can be presented during NAM awareness Sunday. Please also coordinate with your pastor/administrator, and consider advertising this contest in your church bulletins/newsletter.
NAM Vocation Contest Winners 2025
Essay Category:
Grades 2-3:
To be announced!
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Grades 4-6:
To be announced!
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Grades 7-9:
To be announced!
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Grades 10-12:
To be announced!
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Poster Category:
Grades K-1:
To be announced!
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Grades 2-3:
To be announced!
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Grades 4-6:
To be announced!
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Grades 7-9:
To be announced!