Christine Kaiser, an eighth-grade student at Wy’east Middle School, Brianne Dunn, a sixth-grade student at Mid-Columbia Adventist, Nolan Ryan, a fifth-grade student at Horizon Christian School, and Kennedy Leavitt, a seventh-grade student from Hood River Middle School, have all taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Hood River Lions Club.
Kaiser, Dunn, Ryan and Leavitt’s posters are among more than 375,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 26th annual Lions Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.
Kaiser, Leavitt, Dunn and Ryan and the second- and third-place winners from each school will be honored for their participation by the Hood River Lions Club Dec. 7 at the Hood River County Library. Their winning posters will be on display.
Staff members from each school, including art instructors and vice principals, judged the posters based on originality, artistic merit and portrayal of contest theme: “Our World, Our Future.” The judging was held during the week of Nov. 4-8 at each school.
Hood River Lions Club President Greg Simpson said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of all the students.
“It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them,” he said. “I’m proud we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions. Our winning posters will advance to competition at district, multiple district and international levels.”
One grand prize international winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of $5,000 plus a trip for the student and two family members to the awards ceremony at Lions Day at the United Nations. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, with 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs in 206 countries and geographic areas. In addition to its efforts toward conquering blindness, the organization has made a strong commitment to community service and helping youth throughout the world.
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