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02/05/2020 11:01 PMAngie Wang, a 7th grade student at Polson Middle School, was this year’s first-place winner in the annual competition sponsored by the Madison Lions Club. Wang and 61 of her classmates aged 11 to 13 were among more than 600,000 entries sponsored by Lions clubs around the globe in the 32nd annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest.
Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity.
“Change won’t happen if we expect everyone else to change for the world because they will expect the same of those around them,” said Wang, 12, of Madison.
All the Madison participants worked under the guidance of Polson School art teacher Christa Radziunas.
Wang’s poster was selected by local artists Beverly Schirmeier and Jay Babina for its originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the contest theme, “Journey of Peace.” Her poster will advance to multiple district and international rounds of competition if she is to be declared the international grand prize winner.
Madison Lions Club President Marinus de Jongh said he was impressed by the great imagination and creativity of the Polson students.
“These young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. Who better to figure out how to achieve peace, individually and in our communities? And who better to map out the ‘Journey of Peace’ than our youth?” he asked. “I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.”
Also selected by the judges were Seorin Kim (second place), Alexis Kuszpa (third place), and Lila Calia-Bogan, Caroline Courtney, and Cora Davia (honorable mentions). All the students and their families were honored for their participation by the Madison Lions at a reception at Madison Senior Center on Jan. 18 with a message of peace delivered by Madison State Representative Noreen Kokoruda (R-101). All 62 of the students’ posters were displayed at the Polson Middle School during the month of January.
Internationally, one grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to an award ceremony at the United Nations in New York.
For more information about the Madison Lions Peace Poster Contest, call Nancy Bonsall at 203-641-8966. For more information about the Madison Lions Club, call Barry Miller at 203-421-3326.