‘We Are All Connected’ Lions Peace Poster Contest winners announced

The Medford Lions sponsored the Lions International Peace Poster Contest at Medford Area Middle School, Holy Rosary and Immanuel Lutheran Schools. Contest was open to students, ages 11, 12, or 13 years of age on November 15, 2021. Students created peace posters with the 2021-2022 theme, “We Are All Connected”. Schools were provided with all Contest Rules & Conditions.

The teachers from Medford Area Middle School, Grace Krug and Caleb Nowak, Corrine Liske from Holy Rosary and Morgan Routhieaux from Immanuel Lutheran, worked with their students creating peace posters with the theme, “We Are All Connected..” The use of lettering or numbering on the front of the poster, in any language, is not allowed because this contest is sponsored by Lions in over 100 countries. This means that everyone can understand the poster, since a picture represents the theme, not a language.

Each participating school selected a maximum of nine posters from all their entries by October 22, 2021. The posters were judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of the theme, “We Are All Connected.” Then these posters were narrowed down to nine semifi nalists by the Medford Area Senior High Art Department. The MASH Art Department then selected a first place poster - $75 and medallion, second place - $50 and medallion, and third place - $25 and medallion, from the nine semi-finalists. Medallions were awarded to the remaining six semi-finalists.

The winning poster will be sent on to the Lions District Governor where it will compete with other local Peace Poster Contest Winners. The poster will face stiff competition through the district round and three more rounds of competition if it is to be declared the International Grand Prizewinner.

Ultimately, one grand prizewinner will be selected from 24 international finalists. The grand prize includes a cash award of $5,000, plus a trip for the winner, two family members and the Lions Club President to the award ceremony.

The winners are: Six semi-finalists: Blaine Searles, Isabelle Matthews, Kayla Baumgartener, Bria Neitzel, Teagen Hanson and Maddie Henline First place went to Mya Matthias, second to Evie Beidel and third place to Kayla Daniels.