By Mike Anderson
While November is the month we remember our veterans and their sacrifice, it’s also the month that children around the world submit their peace posters for judging in the Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest.
The contest, sponsored by local Lions clubs across the globe, has been running for more than three decades and gives children a chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through their art and creativity.
Shannon McQuaker, 11, is this year’s winner of the Pefferlaw Lions Club peace poster contest held at Morning Glory P.S.
Shannon’s poster was selected from 18 posters submitted by students.
“I entered the contest to make a difference and to show what peace means to me,” said Shannon, who described her poster as people walking over a rainbow with a peace sign over the world. “Everyone matters and you should just have peace wherever you go.”
“I’m very proud of her,” said her mother, Sharon McQuaker, who thinks the poster contest is a great idea. “We need more peace in the world.”
“I loved her poster. It was very creative, and I can see that a lot of time and effort went into it,” added Michelle Schlaich, a grade 7 and 8 teacher at Morning Glory P.S., who coordinated the peace poster contest. “She did a really great job. “
This year’s entries, which illustrate the theme of connection, were judged by Jeanne Faria, executive director at the Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture (GCAC), and local artist Nadya Edwards.
“We really liked the concept. The way she took people of all nationalities and put then through this kind of ribbon, almost like arms hugging the earth,” said Edwards. “She also used the different colours of the rainbow to emphasize inclusivity.”
On November 8, Pefferlaw Lions Vice President Mike Buccos presented Shannon with an Achievement Award Certificate, a $30 gift certificate for the GCAC from the Pefferlaw Lions, and a free art class donated by GCAC.
“It was a wonderful opportunity for our club to work with youth in our community to promote peace, tolerance and international understanding,” said Lion David Weir, chairman of the Boys and Girls Committee, in an email to The Post.
“The contest encouraged young people, ages 11 to 13, to think about peace, creatively expressing what it means to them and sharing their unique visions with the world.”
The Lions also asked mother and daughter to lay a wreath, on behalf of Morning Glory P.S., at the Pefferlaw cenotaph during the Pefferlaw Lion’s Remembrance Day ceremony, held on November 7.
While Shannon admits, she was a bit nervous. Her mother said it was a good experience, and young people need to participate in Remembrance Day.
Shannon’s poster will advance to the next round of judging at the District A-16 level.
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