Submitted photo Pictured, front row, left to right, holding their posters, First Place Winner, Sophie Berger; Second Place Winner, Elizabeth Dake and Third Place Winner, Collin Forstner. Back row, left to right, Lions President, Jean Nielsen; Judges, Peace Poster Chairman, Lion Glen Setterholm and 6th grade Art Teacher, Jesus Santiago. Not pictured, Judges, Fellow Teacher, Vickie Tambornino and Lion Jan DeLeo.

NEW ULM — Sophie Berger, a 6 grade student at New Ulm Public Middle School, has won 1st place in the local competition of the Lions International Peace Poster Contest sponsored by the Lions Club of New Ulm.

Sophie received $50 for her first place entry. Elizabeth Dake received $20 for her second place entry and Collin Forstner received $15 for his third place entry.

All winners received an Award Certificate along with their monetary prize from the Lions Club on Nov. 7th at the New Ulm Public Middle School. The winners were chosen from 50 posters submitted by the Middle School 6 grade art students.

Sophie’s poster was among more than 600,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 32nd annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring this program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

The winners were selected by a judging panel made up of Lions members and Art Teachers, Jesus Santiago and Vickie Tambornino. Mr. Santiago led the project in his 6th grade class with directions from the Lions. The winning poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Journey of Peace”. The judging took place on October 31st at the Middle School.

The Lions Club members involved in the judging were impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at New Ulm Public Middle School who participated in the contest.

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

One international 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. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500.