Photo by Karen Klenke From left are Lion Kim Schuster, second place winner Braden Bartels, first place winner Lily Aho, and third place winner Riece Casagranda, and Lion Maryellen Wagener. Cheering them on in the background are their fifth and sixth grade classmates who also participated in the contest and enjoyed the pizza party that the Niagara Lions provided.

NIAGARA, Wis. — The Niagara Lions Club recently honored those elementary students who participated in the local competition of the Lions International Peace Poster contest.

This year’s theme was “The Journey of Peace” and participating students ages 11-13 created an art work reflective of the theme. Directing their creative efforts was art teacher Denise Eichinger.

“The contest gave Denise an opportunity to discuss with the children what the message of peace means to them, and for the world around them. Also discussed, how the children could express/convey the meaning of peace through their posters. The children used many creative ways to express the ‘Journey of Peace,’ including people, animals, the word ‘peace’ in different languages, and much more,” according to Lion Kim Schuster who headed up the contest, and was assisted by Middle School teacher and Lion Maryellen Wagener.

“The judges were very impressed with the posters overall as they were very creative,” she said. She also helped judge. The posters have been on display in the corridor near the Niagara District Office.

The Lions provided a pizza party for an enthusiastic crowd, including all participants, at which time winners were announced, and received their prizes. Each winner received a certificate, ribbon and cash prize: first place $100 – Lily Aho; second place $50 – Braden Bartels and third place $25 – Riece Casagranda.