Submitted by Greg Wind, Killingworth Lions Club
(December 8, 2022) — Eli Snow, a 7th grade student at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School, has taken the first step toward becoming an internationally-recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Killingworth Lions Club.
Eli’s poster (photo above) was among more than 600,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.
There were eleven students who entered their posters and the top three were chosen by a panel of judges that included Regional School District 17 Superintendent of Schools Jeffery Wihbey, Principal Dolores Bates, Vice Principal Heather Persson, Art Teacher Jill Thompson, Killingworth Lions President Richard Clare, Peace Poster Chair Ellen Oppenheimer, Charlie Smith, Dean Rupp, Greg Wind, Sandy Smith and Michele Sokoloff for originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Leading with Compassion.” The judging was held on November 10, 2022 at HKMS and an award ceremony took place at the school on December 6th, which recognized 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners accompanied by their very proud parents, school Administration, Killingworth’s First Selectman and members of the Killingworth Lions.
Killingworth Lions Club President Richard Clare said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at HKMS. “It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.” Killingworth First Selectman, and Lions Club member, Nancy Gorski expressed her admiration and appreciation for the students who participated in this meaningful contest. She was so impressed with their artwork and what “Leading with Compassion” meant to them and inspired them to paint these amazing works of art.
“Eli’s poster will advance through the district, multiple district and international levels of competition if he is to be declared the international grand prize winner,” Clare said.
One international grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of $5,000 and will be recognized at a special 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 Eli as his poster advances in the competition, and we hope that his vision will ultimately be shared with others around the world,” President Clare said.
HKMS Art Teacher Jill Thompson and Principal Dolores Bates have supported this program for many years and the Killingworth Lions thank them for enabling and encouraging their students to take part in this program, which emphasizes the importance of world peace and compassion to young people everywhere.
Locally, Eli and two other students, 2nd place Cecilia Stevens
and 3rd place Lyla Ford, will be recognized for their participation at the Killingworth Lions Club “Night of Giving” in May of 2023.
Photos by Greg Wind
