Niagara, ON: A water colour painting depicting nurses hand in hand as angels is this year’s selection in the fourth annual NHS Holiday Greetings contest. The competition was stiff with 59 amazing entries received this year – the highest number of entries since the contest began.
Leah D'Aloisio, the 12-year-old daughter of Rita D'Aloisio, a Medical Radiation Technologist working in the CT unit at Greater Niagara General Site, was selected as the artist of the 2010 NHS holiday greeting. The family resides in St. Catharines, where Leah is a student at St. Ann's School. Leah is active in soccer and volleyball but especially enjoys art. "Leah works very hard on all her artwork," says Rita.
Contest judges were very impressed by the subject matter and the uniqueness of Leah’s work.
“Every year, the decision is harder to make when all the artwork is displayed for judging,” says President and CEO Debbie Sevenpifer. “This year, we are moving to an electronic greeting card, rather than printing hundreds of traditional cards. It’s better for the environment and there’s an immediacy to an emailed greeting that’s gratifying.” The e-card will be distributed to community members and partner organizations throughout the region and province.
Leah’s family feels the same way about an e-card. “We’re thinking of using Leah’s artwork on our family Christmas card and sending it online as well,” Rita says. “Our daughters have been entering these and other art contests for the past few years. Leah also received an award for her Remembrance Day submission to the Royal Canadian Legion locally. We’re very proud of her talent.”
In October, all children and grandchildren aged 12 or under of NHS staff, physicians and volunteers were invited to participate in an artwork contest giving them the chance of being selected as the acclaimed artist of the card. Judges were Board Chair Betty-Lou Souter, CEO Debbie Sevenpifer and Chief Communications Officer Christine Clark.
Winners in each of the three age categories were also selected. They are:
- Ages 3-5 - James Martinelli, 5 years old, St. Catharines, grandson of Joan Martinelli, Charge Nurse at Port Colborne Site
- Ages 6-8 - Monica Pastore, 8 years old, Fonthill, daughter of Kerry Pastore, Resource Centre Representative at Welland Hospital Site
- Ages 9-12 - Alexandra Girard, 11 years old, St. Catharines, daughter of Vera Girard, RN at St. Catharines General Site
The winners in the age categories will receive a certificate of recognition. Leah will be presented with a $100 gift certificate and her framed artwork at the December 21 Board of Trustees meeting.
Members of the media are welcome to attend this special presentation. The Board of Trustees meeting takes place Tuesday, December 21, at Welland Site Auditorium, at 5:30 p.m.
For more information, media may contact:
Caroline Bourque Wiley
Public Affairs Consultant
905-378-4647, ext. 43113
cwiley@niagarahealth.on.ca
