Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest

Overview

The Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest is a flagship Supreme Council Family Program that invites young people to creatively express the true religious meaning of Christmas. Through original artwork, students reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ and help evangelize their families, schools, parishes, and communities.

This highly visible contest promotes faith formation, strengthens family engagement, and provides councils with an excellent opportunity for parish collaboration, public recognition, and community outreach during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Point of Contact

Name: Paul Mastalir
Title: State Keep Christ in Christmas Chairman

Program Details

Eligibility

• Open to youth in grades K–8
• Contest divisions are separated into five grade levels:
  • Kindergarten
  • Grades 1–2
  • Grades 3–4
  • Grades 5–6
  • Grades 7–8
• Participants do not need to be related to a Knight
• Posters must be original work created by one student

How the Program Works

• Councils sponsor a local Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest
• Students submit an 11" × 17" poster reflecting the theme “Keep Christ in Christmas”
• Each poster must include:
  • An original design and slogan
  • A completed Supreme KCC Poster Contest Entry Form attached to the back
• Councils judge and award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at each grade level
• Winning posters advance through district, diocesan, state, and Supreme levels following Wisconsin’s contest structure

Competition Format

Judging is based on a 100‑point system:

• Slogan clarity – 30 points
• Visual impact – 30 points
• Overall effectiveness – 40 points

State‑Specific Rules or Adaptations (Wisconsin)

Wisconsin follows a defined multi‑level advancement process with firm deadlines:

• Council Level
  • Councils judge posters locally
  • 1st & 2nd place winners at each grade level advance
  • Posters are sent directly to the District Deputy
  • Deadline: January 1, 2026
• District Level
  • District Deputies judge council submissions
  • 1st & 2nd place district winners advance
  • Winners sent to the Diocesan Program Coordinator
  • Deadline: January 15
• Diocesan Level
  • Diocesan Coordinators select 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners
  • Diocesan winners are sent to the State KCC Poster Contest Coordinator
  • Deadline: February 1
• State Level
  • Diocesan winners judged with assistance from State Program, Family, and Community Directors
  • Awards include:
    • 1st, 2nd, 3rd place
    • Honorable Mention (all five grade levels)
• Supreme Level
  • First‑place State winners are forwarded to Supreme (non‑returnable)
  • Other State entries are returned to councils when possible

Advancement Structure

Council → District → Diocesan → State → Supreme

Advancement is automatic for qualifying winners submitted by the appropriate deadline at each level.

Timeline

• Local Council Contest: Advent / early Christmas season
• Council Winners Due to District Deputy: January 1
• District Winners Due to Diocese: January 15
• Diocesan Winners Due to State: February 1
• State Winners Announced: February–March
• Supreme Submission: Immediately following State judging