Local teens to uphold historic German tradition & Market’s commitment to authenticity
Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Inc. (CCI) has announced the winners of the eighth-annual Christkind and the third-annual Kulturecke Docent scholarship programs. Through these programs, the organization is awarding $4,000 in scholarships to local high schoolers and empowering them to contribute to German culture education through various roles during the 2025 Market season.
“These scholarships are essential in achieving the level of authenticity we’re committed to providing our visitors as a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to cultural education,” CCI Acting CEO Julia Davis said. “We were impressed by all of the winners and are confident that they will embody the values of Carmel Christkindlmarkt. We can’t wait to see the impact they make throughout the Market season.”
The 2025 Christkind and recipient of a $1,000 scholarship is Lucile Esterline, a Carmel resident and sophomore at Carmel High School (CHS). Esterline is currently taking her third year of German language classes and recently received a bronze award for her score on the National German Exam – Level 2. Her family celebrates many German traditions, passed down by her grandparents, including cooking traditional foods together and gathering at German restaurants for celebrations and special events.
In her role as Christkind, Esterline will share holiday cheer by welcoming guests, handing out candy and gifts, taking photos with visitors and participating in special events, parades, and media activities.
“I am humbled to be named this year’s Christkind, and I recognize my responsibility to represent a figure of kindness, grace and hope to all who visit Carmel Christkindlmarkt,” Esterline said. “Joyful optimism is a gift, and I feel blessed to be able to share the holiday spirit as Christkind this season.”
The runner-up winners and recipients of $500 scholarships are Kayla Peters and Grace Torvik, both sophomores at CHS. Peters is an active member of the CHS German Club and developed a love for German culture by attending events like Carmel Christkindlmarkt and German Fest. Torvik is enrolled in her third year of German language studies and actively seeks out opportunities to learn more about the German community and culture.
The Christkind is a long-standing tradition of all authentic Christkindlmarkts. An angelic figure, the Christkind is historically known for delivering Christmas presents and a Christmas tree to German families without being seen. At Christmas markets, this iconic figure gives out candy, takes pictures with guests and more. CCI began its Christkind Scholarship program eight years ago, creating opportunities for local teens to get involved in the Market and to carry the honor of bringing this popular German tradition to Carmel.
Click here to learn more about the Christkind Scholarship Program.
Kulturecke Docent Scholarship
In partnership with the Indiana German Heritage Society (IGHS), CCI has selected three CHS students to serve as the 2025 Kulturecke Docents. Throughout the Market season, these students will be present in the Market’s Kulturecke hut, a museum-like space where visitors can explore Indiana’s rich German-American history, to welcome guests, answer questions and provide additional historical background to supplement the Kulturecke experience.
Carmel High School students Thomas Kuehl, Natalie Bricker, and Emma Kim will serve as this year’s Kulturecke Docents. (Photo provided by Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Inc.)
The first-place winner and recipient of a $1,000 scholarship is Thomas Kuehl, a junior at CHS. Kuehl has completed four years of German studies and is keenly interested in the German-American impact on local Indiana celebrations. In an essay on the subject, he stated that “[Indiana’s German festivals] are not simply nostalgic reenactments of the past, but rather acts of living history.”
The runner-up winners and recipients of $500 scholarships are CHS senior Natalie Bricker and CHS junior Emma Kim. Bricker has completed five years of German language studies, is president of the CHS German Club and has served as an officer on the board of the Indiana Association of Students of German for the past three years. Kim is in her third year of German studies and is looking forward to learning more about her German heritage through this program.
Click here for more information about the Kulturecke Docent Scholarship Program.