Read a book, do chores...the options are endless! Would you think of writing an award winning composition complete with lyrics? Most of us would say no but that is exactly what Lancaster Catholic's Lizbeth Stephan, Class of 2021, did when she composed and recorded her original song, "Provider of Joy" on the piano with classmate Cody McSherry on vocals for the Catholic Daughters of America National Education Contest.
The Catholic Daughters of America are one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. They donate to charities, administer scholarship programs and strive “to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow or sickness." The National Education Contest is one of the ways they administer scholarships to students across the nation.
Lizbeth was not sure if she was going to compete in the Catholic Daughters of America competition for 2018 because she faced the adjustment of being a Freshman, trying to balance homework and other obligations. But once her mind was set, she was determined to submit a piece of music to the contest.
"Sometimes it is hard to write music," said Lizbeth. "Once you find a flow the music just comes to you."
Miss Stephan is no stranger to the Catholic Daughters of America National Education Contest. She competed several times in grade school at Our Mother of Perpetual Help School in Ephrata where she placed 3rd on the National level twice. This time around she was tasked with creating an original piece of work in the form of art, poetry, music or photography that fit the selected theme “The Lord Has Done Great Things For Us, We Are Filled With Joy.” Ps 126 or “Finding Joy In My Life.”
"Provider of Joy" took less than two days to complete and won Lizbeth 1st place in the Music Category for Division 3 Catholic Daughter of America Chapters for Lancaster County, 1st place for the State of Pennsylvania and 2nd place Nationally.
Lizbeth is looking forward to this year's Catholic Daughters of America Contest.