Uriah Kastner, a seventh grade student at Coupeville Middle School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Coupeville Lions Club.

Kastner’s poster was among more than 375,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 27th annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

“I drew my Peace Poster because I think that’s what the world should be like,” Kastner said. “No wars or problems. Just peace.”

The poster was selected by the Coupeville Lions for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Peace, love and understanding.”

The judging was held earlier during the club’s general membership meeting.

Molly Hughes, president of the Coupeville Lions Club, said she was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at the Coupeville Boys and Girls Club.

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

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

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 awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500.

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

Locally, Kastner and 13 other students were honored for their participation at the Boys and Girls Club on Dec. 10. For his artistic efforts, Uriah received a cash award of $50; second and third runner-up artists Angelina Gebhard and Eli Kastner each received $25.

Though the Peace Poster Contest is limited to students 11 to 13 years old, 10 entries submitted by younger artists were also judged to encourage future participation when they are a bit older.

In the ‘under 11’ age category, four gift certificates to the Honey Bear were presented to Adiar DeJesus, Jackie Contreras, Mako Mathis and Madison McMillan. Awards were provided by the Coupeville Lions Club to recognize and encourage local participation.

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

n This article was submitted by the Coupeville Lions Club.