Ann Marie Morgan, Nederland.   Each year Lions Clubs around the world proudly sponsor the Lions International Peace Poster Contest in local schools and youth groups. This art contest encourages young people to express their visions of peace. The theme of the 2018-19 Peace Poster Contest is “Kindness Matters.” Each poster is judged by Nederland area artists on originality, artistic merit, and expression of the theme. Posters advance through several judging levels: local, district, multiple district, and international.

Nederland Lions Club was pleased to host this year’s local Peace Poster Contest and Reception on Tuesday, November 6th. Twenty-one Nederland students, ages 11-13, competed. Lion Fran Bauer welcomed students and parents against a backdrop of amazing posters. Each student came forward, explained how their art work conveyed their ideas of kindness and peace, and received a participation certificate. It was obvious that a lot of thought and hard work went into each poster. One couldn’t help but be inspired by these young artists! Art teacher Theresa Redmon, who gets the kids involved in this project, spoke to the group about the talent shown in their work, encouraged them to continue their creative pursuits, and expressed how much she cares about each and every one of her students,
First, second, and third place winners receive cash prizes from Lions Club, and the first-place winner’s poster now advances to compete at the district level. This year’s top placing posters were 1st Place, Megan Hess; 2nd Place, Loic Masters; 3rd Place – Ande Hammers. Well done, everyone!

(Originally published in the November 15, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)