Jacy Gray Wins Local Competition in Leakey Lions Club Peace Poster Contest
by Leakey ISD Webmaster
December 01, 2009
11/30/09-News Release-Leakey Lions Club-Fred R. McNiel, Second Vice-President
Jacy Gray Wins Local Competition in Leakey Lions Club Peace Poster Contest
Jacy Gray, daughter of Steve and Shawn Gray, and a seventh grade student at Leakey I.S.D. has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local art competition sponsored by the Leakey Lions Club.
Jacy’s poster was among more than 40 submitted locally and 350,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 22nd annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere. Sixth and seventh grade students in all public and private schools in Real County were eligible for the local Lions Club poster contest. Only students from Leakey I.S.D actually submitted posters for the contest before the contest deadline of November 2nd.
Jacy’s poster was selected by Leakey ISD art teacher, Joan McCarson for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “The Power of Peace”. In addition to Jacy’s winning poster Mrs. McCarson selected a second and third place poster and also selected two more posters for “honorable mention” awards. Allison Shuckman, daughter of Jeff Shuckman placed second in the competition and Sadie Harwood, daughter of John Harwood and Serenity Harwood placed third in the competition. Ethan Blackman and Leyda Lopez, both seventh graders at Leakey ISD received an “Honorable Mention” awards for their posters. Ethan is the son of Kerry and Lisa Blackman and Leyda is the daughter of Gerado and Fernanda Lopez.
Lion’s Club President, Glen Bradley said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the submitted posters. “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 with the community”
Jacy’s poster will advance to face stiff competition through the district, multiple district, and international rounds of competition if she is to be declared the international grand prize winner. One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of $2,500, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to New York City, for the 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 Jacy as her poster advances in the competition, and we hope that her vision will ultimately be shared with others around the world”. Bradley said. Locally, Jacy, Allison, and Sadie were honored and recognized at a Lions Club social/meeting held at the American Legion Hall in Leakey on Thursday evening, November 19th, 2009. In addition to receiving ribbons and certificates of appreciation for participating in the contest, each of the top three winners received cash prizes from the Leakey Lions Club. For her first place poster, Jacy received a cash prize of $100. Allison was awarded $75 and Sadie was presented $50.
Jacy’s poster was mailed to San Antonio on Friday, November 13th and will be entered into the next level of competition. Winners from all the Lions Clubs over South Texas will also be mailed to San Antonio and one poster will be selected to advance to the national competition.
The Leakey Lions Club is very proud of Jacy and wishes her luck as she advances in the competition! In the photo above the Peace Poster winners pose for a picture. They are: (left to right) Jacy Gray, Allison Shuckman, and Sadie Harwood.