Last Updated 5-28-10
KOKOMO GIRL, 12, WINS MERIT AWARD
IN LIONS
INTERNATIONAL PEACE POSTER CONTEST
OAK BROOK, IL, March 16, 2009—Chelsea Jo Maupin, a 12-year-old girl from Maple Crest Middle School, has been named a merit award winner in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest. The theme of this year’s competition, the 21st annual contest, was “Peace Begins With Me.”
“I believe the peace poster contest is important because the message of peace needs to be sent across the world, especially now with all of the world’s crises and the failing economy,” said Maupin.
Maupin’s winning poster was chosen for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of this year’s theme. She is one of 23 merit award winners chosen from more than 350,000 entries drawn by children ages 11-13 from 70 countries.
As a merit award winner, Maupin will be presented with a cash award of US$500 and a certificate of achievement by the Northwestern Lions Club, local sponsor of the contest.
“Our club is so excited to have sponsored a merit award winner who is an exceptional artist and young person,” said Karen Rush, vice president of the Northwestern Lions Club. “We look forward to continuing to sponsor this contest in our community.”
Lions Clubs International President Al Brandel said, “Just like the Lions are everyday heroes through the community service they perform, these children are also everyday heroes in what they teach us about the importance of peace. These young people will grow up to be our world leaders and they will remember that the Lions helped them to consider the significance of international cooperation and peace.”
Yennie Shyu, a 12-year-old girl from San Jose, California, U.S.A., created the grand prize winning poster. The merit award winners are from Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, India (2), Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Taiwan, Uruguay and the United States (Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Virginia).
Maupin enjoys playing the French horn, violin and piano. She is involved in the Kokomo Children’s Choir, the Lego League and the Morrison Memorial hand bell choir.
The 24 finalist peace posters will be exhibited at children’s museums and various locations throughout the United States. They will also be featured prominently at the 92nd annual Lions Clubs International Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. The posters can also be seen on the Lions Clubs International Web site, www.lionsclubs.org, where you can learn more about the contest and send Peace Poster e-cards.
Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, is made up of 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries and geographical locations throughout the world. Lions created the Peace Poster Contest to foster a spirit of peace and international understanding in young people worldwide.
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