Deer Lakes senior's hopeful greeting card contest entry is a hit with voters - TribLIVE

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A Deer Lakes senior entered a national greeting card contest, and her uplifting message during the covid pandemic is striking a chord with the public.

Annika Stankowski created her card design as a source of hope and motivation.

Her artfully hand drawn card includes an assortment of flowers and words of encouragement: “This too shall pass.”

Annika said she used the familiar quote to remind people that although the pandemic has drastically affected many lives, things will get better.

“I just wanted to show that we will overcome this unprecedented time and find strength and unity in doing so,” she said.

Annika submitted her work to The Gallery Collection card shop, which is holding its 14th annual Create-A-Greeting Card Scholarship Contest. Anyone at least 14 years old who is home schooled or in high school, college or a university could submit a greeting card design. Submissions stared last June and were accepted until March 9.

Now, Annika’s entry has advanced to the semifinal round. Voting in the final round begins April 5 in a contest that will award a $10,000 scholarship to the winner in May.

Each month, The Gallery Collection has been choosing 100 entries and winnowing the list to the top 10 designs.

Annika’s work took the top spot with more than 1,000 votes.

Since submitting her design in January, Annika’s work has gotten far into the contest.

According to The Gallery Collection, “the top 10 entries from each monthly voting session along with any ‘saved’ entries will be put up for voting.”

The top five designs with the most votes will become finalists, and a panel of judges will select another five.

Voting takes place on The Gallery Collection’s website.

“I really appreciate the opportunity,” Annika said.

Rebekah Stankowski, Annika’s mom, said out of all the things her daughter could have written or drawn on the card, she chose something calming and peaceful.

“I think that’s something we really need right now in society,” she said.

Annika said she can’t believe how many people have been voting for her.

“People from inside and outside of the school district have made me so proud to be a member of this community,” she said. “Everybody has been so kind, and I’m really flattered that people like my design and continue to vote for it.”

Winning the contest would help Annika pay for some of her college tuition at the University of Mount Union, where she will be majoring in biomedical engineering.

Janet Surma is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Janet at jsurma@triblive.com.

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