Seventh grader wins Bellflower Lions Club poster contest

BELLFLOWER – Jordan Arellano, a 7th grade student at Mayfair Middle School in Lakewood, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Bellflower Noon Lions Club. Arellano’s poster was among more than 450,000 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.

“Love and peace is to show respect with all your heart” the 11-year-old from Lakewood said. The poster was selected by the Bellflower Noon Lions Club for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest them, Love, Peace & Understanding. The judging was held on Nov. 5 at the Bellflower Noon Lions Club.

Bellflower Noon Lions Club President James Watson said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at Mayfair Middle School. “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.”

“Arellano’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,” Watson said.

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

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

Locally, Arellano and two other students were honored for their participation by the Bellflower Lions Club on Wednesday at Mayfair Middle School.

View past international grand prize winners at www.lionsclubs.org.

**********

Published: Nov. 20, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 32