Lion Marilyn Carlson, Faith Allen and Phoenix Principal Hank Schmelz show off Allen’s winning Peace Poster.

DELAVAN – Phoenix Middle School eighth grader Faith Allen has taken the first step to becoming an internationally-recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Delavan Lions Club.

Allen’s poster is among more than 600,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 30th annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

“Peace means everyone comes together no matter where you’re from. We’re all accepted and we help each other out,” the 13 year-old from Delavan said.

The poster was selected by several Delavan Lions Club members for its originality artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “The Future of Peace.”

Delavan Lions Club President Ryan Schroeder said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at Phoenix Middle School.

“It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them,” Schroeder said. “I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their vision.”

Posters from the other students who participated in the contest will be put on display at Phoenix Middle School, said Principal Hank Schmelz.

Allen’s poster will advance to face stiff competition through the district, multiple district, and international rounds of competition if she is to be declared the international grand prize winner.

One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected in the international contest. The grand prize includes a cash award of $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to an award ceremony. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500.

“Our club is cheering for Faith as her poster advances in the competition, and we hope that her vision will ultimately be shared with others around the world,” Schroeder said.

View international grand prize and merit award winners at www.lionsclubs.org.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas. In addition to its efforts toward conquering blindness, the organization has made a strong commitment to community service and helping youth throughout the world.