The Carmel Christkindlmarkt has held the Christkind essay contest for the past three years. This essay contest is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in the Carmel Christkindlmarkt and carry the honor of bringing a popular German tradition to Carmel.
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 Carmel Christkindlmarkt by welcoming visitors, giving candy and gifts, and taking photos with market-goers. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt Christkind will also participate in special events and media activities throughout the year.
This year’s essay winners
Many American Christmas traditions originated in Germany. This year’s prompt was to write a 500-word essay about how German immigrants influenced modern day Christmas culture in the United States.
After reviewing many applications, for the iconic role of the Christkind, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt review committee has made its selections. The committee is happy to announce the following winners of the Wallington Asset Management sponsored essay contest.
In first place and winner of the $1,000 essay prize is Kayla E. Gaerte, a junior at Carmel High School. Here is a little introduction to Kayla in her own words:
“I have been in German classes since sixth grade and currently am a German IV Pre-IB student. As of now, I am the Vice President of German Club at Carmel High School, a member of the Indiana German Heritage Society and German is absolutely one of my favorite subjects. I feel comfortable having conversations in German and am always looking for ways to improve. I plan on minoring in German Language in college and hope to earn the Certificate of Bilingual Proficiency from the state of Indiana. Last summer I visited Germany with my family and spent just under two weeks discovering and falling in love with Germany; the people, the land, and the culture.”
In second place and winner of the $500 essay prize is Lindsay Rose Vrobel, a junior at Carmel High School Here is a little introduction to Lindsay in her own words:
“I have spent five years learning the German language and am currently in the German IV Pre-IB class at Carmel High School. I have been to Germany twice, once in 2015 with my family. The other trip was an exchange through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) in the summer of 2019, where I also hosted a German student in my home.”
In third place and winner of the $250 essay prize is Anna Tai, Ivy Tech Class of 2020. Here is a little introduction to Anna in her own words:
“German cultural experience: I had a summer vacation trip to Germany with my family when I was six years old. It was an unforgettable experience that I could still remember how nice the local people were, how houses were so different compared to my country, and how beautiful Germany culture was. Through this contest, I hope to present the wonderful German tradition to everyone in Carmel.”