After reviewing many applications for the iconic role of the Christkind, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt has chosen Annika Harshbarger, a student at Lawrence North High School as the 2021 Carmel Christkind, an honor that comes with a $1,000 scholarship. The annual essay contest is sponsored by Wallington Asset Management.
(From left) Third-place winner Hannah Schultz, first-place winner and 2021 Christkind Annika Harshbarger, and second-place winner Anya Burke. (Photo provided)
“I come from a German speaking household and I started learning German as a baby from my mom,” Harshbarger said. “From a young age I began attending German school at the Athenaeum in downtown Indianapolis. I have been taking German at my high school since freshman year and have completed German 1 and 2.”
The second-place winner of a $500 scholarship is Anya Burke, a Westfield High School graduate who attends college at Anderson University. In third place and winner of a $250 scholarship is Hannah Schultz, who also is a student at Lawrence North High School.
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt has conducted the Christkind essay contest for four years with the sponsorship of Wallington Asset Management. This essay contest is an opportunity to get involved in the annual holiday event. The Christkind is a well-known symbol of Christmas in German-speaking countries. As the tradition goes, the Christkind angel delivers Christmas presents and a Christmas tree to German children on Christmas Eve, without being seen. In Germany, the Christkind starts the Christmas season by opening the famous Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt.
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt Christkind shares Christmas cheer with guests throughout the event by welcoming visitors, giving candy and gifts, and taking photos with market-goers. The Christkind will also participate in special events and media activities throughout the year.