Katelyn was the youngest winner of the competition, designed to encourage students to learn more about the work of the archdiocesan social services agencies.
LifeLink is an umbrella organisation of 13 welfare agencies in the Perth archdiocese.
The competition called for primary and secondary Catholic school students to submit a drawing depicting either the Archbishop’s goal for LifeLink Day or how LifeLink agencies help people in need throughout WA.
Each of the six winning schools was awarded $1,500 to be used for computing equipment, library resources or other special needs.
Winners celebrated their achievements at a casual morning tea attended by Archbishop Barry Hickey, Auxillary Bishop Donald Sproxton and Monsignor Michael Keating.
Consulting manager of LifeLink, Brett Mendez, encouraged students to make some noise and chair swap so everyone could have the opportunity to meet one another.
Year 9 winners from Santa Maria College, Jade Chow, Sophie Lucivero, Kathleen Sullivan and Amber Withers, said their drawing of what life is like before and after LifeLink was inspired from seeing strangers help homeless people living on the street.
The Santa Maria students said they were happy to have won, were enjoying the morning off school and delicious food, and particularly happy because they didn’t have to go to math.
Other winners were Year 6 students Renee Lobban and Cynthia Toh from Queen of Apostles School in Riverton, Year 5 student Carly Cope from Brighton Catholic Primary School in Butler, Year 11 student Sophie Matthews from Iona Presentation College in Mosman Park and the Year 6 Pastoral Care Ministry from Infant Jesus School, Morley Ministry.
Agencies supported by LifeLink are Samaritan Projects, The Shopfront, Ruah-Anawim Aboriginal Women’s Service, Natural Fertility Services, identitywa, Emmanuel Centre, Daydawn Advocacy Centre, Cross Roads Community Addiction Counselling, Centrecare Inc, Djooraminda, Catholic Migrant Services, Centacare Employment and Training and Catholic Association for Deaf and Hearing Impaired.