Peace on earth may still be a ways away, but this year, Bonney Lake and Sumner middle school students explored what peace meant to them by competing in the Lions Club International Peace Poster contest.
“The goal was to find out what peace, love and understanding meant to them,” said April Young, the secretary at the Bonney Lake Lions Club. “We wanted to hear from the youth and make sure they know about the Lions Club.”
The Bonney Lake Lions Club teamed up with Mountain View and Lake Ridge middle schools for the contest, which 68 total students decided to enter. The rules of the contest are simple; through any medium, students had to artistically express their vision of peace. No letters or numbers can be used, and only two-dimensional posters would be accepted.
An award ceremony was held for the area winners, three from each school.
Katelyn Endicott and Gwenith Vangeystel placed first. Claire Frueheuf and Taykor Simpson came in second, and Madison Witt and Skylar Chambers came away with third.
Gewnith’s poster was also nominated to be sent onward to the district level competition, but was not sent to the next level. She said she competed because she wanted to test her artistic abilities for the first time.
Her poster depicted seasonal change and nature themes.
“I put in the four seasons because nature is peaceful,” she said. “I also included music, because singing reduced stress.”
About the Bonney Lake Lions Club
The Bonney Lake Lions Club started in 2002, although it closed and then reopened in 2004.
Lions Club International is a service organization, and the local chapter is no different.
“Lions are known for (helping with) vision, hearing and diabetes,” Young said.
According to chapter President Tom Watson, the local organization spends an average of $3,000 a year for glasses for people on the Plateau. The Lions Club also works with the hearing impaired in getting hearing aids.
Since 2006, the Bonney Lake Lions Club has served more than 16,000 children at their Lions4Kids House, where kids who receive reduced-fare or free lunches can go to receive clothes, personal care items, school supplies and other necessary resources.
“It’s taking care of community needs that are not being serviced,” said chapter President Tom Watson. “We want to make a difference in the community.”
Reach Ray Still at rstill@courierherald.com or 360-825-2555 ext. 5058. Follow him on Twitter @rayscottstill for more news, pictures and local events.
