‘What do the holidays mean to you?’

The cozy fireplace scene featured on this year’s holiday card from Dean Georgette Chapman Phillips and the College of Business and Economics comes courtesy of 11-year-old Jasmin Leon, a sixth-grade student at Broughal Middle School in Bethlehem, Pa.

Jasmin’s drawing was chosen from among entries to CBE’s first-ever “What do the Holidays Mean to You?” holiday contest , which was open to students participating in after-school Homework Clubs  hosted by Lehigh’s Community Service Office.  Broughal is one of three schools partnering with Lehigh to provide the homework clubs, where neighborhood school children receive academic support.

Jasmin’s inspiration for the winning entry?

“I was thinking about when my mom decorates for Christmas,” she said. Her drawing features a Christmas tree, wrapped gifts, a fireplace, stockings, a plate of cookies and a Christmas book.

The holiday card carries this message: “May childlike wonder and joy touch all of us this holiday season.”

Jasmin learned in October that she had created the winning entry, when Phillips and CBE staff surprised her at her Homework Club at Fritz Memorial United Methodist Church in Bethlehem, where she worked with a Lehigh student. 

“You drew a really nice picture,” Phillips said, presenting her with a Monster High doll and gift card—and a Lehigh sweatshirt.

On hand for the presentation was CBE events coordinator Michele Kashmere, who, in collaboration with the dean, had come up with the contest idea earlier in the fall semester. Kashmere  had reached out to Carolina Hernandez, director of Community Service at Lehigh, to connect with the Homework Clubs.  Some 20 children participated.