Deputy Grand Knight Greg Koester, Grand Knight Jerry Steppe and Chancellor Eric Koester pose with one of nine “Keep Christ in Christmas” signs sponsored by Council 665 during the Christmas season.

EFFINGHAM - Knights of Columbus Council 665 participated in the recent "Keep Christ in Christmas" poster contest sponsored by the Illinois State Council Knights of Columbus.

"As Catholics, we have noticed through the years that the religious significance of Christmas is being replaced by commercialism and terms such as ‘season's greetings,' ‘merry Xmas' and Santa's Day, said Greg Koester, Deputy Grand Knight.

Entries came from 110 students. The winners were (in order, first place through third place):

Pre-K and Kindergarten division: Jessica Coffin, Davis Tingley and Taylor Beesley, all from Sacred Heart School.

Grades 1 and 2: Rebecca Webster, Kourtney Cordes and Alex Beesley, all from Sacred Heart.

Grades 3 and 4: Brock Mammoser of St. Thomas in Newton, Grace Christian and Colin Hecht, both of Sacred Heart.

Grades 5 and 6: Megan Nuxoll from Sacred Heart, Tiernay Hammer from St. Anthony Grade School, and Jason Pike from Sacred Heart.

Grades 7 and 8: Kimberly Perkins, Kourtney Utz and Holly Moore, all from Sacred Heart.

In addition, Jessica Coffin placed second in the diocesan judging for pre-K and kindergarten students; Rebecca Webster placed third in the diocesan judging for grades 1 and 2; Brock Mammoser placed first in diocesan judging and first in state judging for grades 3 and 4; Megan Nuxoll placed third in diocesan judging for grades 5 and 6; and Kimberly Perkins placed first in diocesan judging and second in state judging for grades 7 and 8.

"The Effingham Knights consider all the participants winners as they are ‘Keeping Christ in Christmas' and in their hearts by participating in this contest," Koester said. "Congratulations and thank you to all the participants."

In addition to the poster contest, the Effingham Knights of Columbus  put up nine "Keep Christ in Christmas" signs around Effingham.