Submitted photo Pictured, front row, L-R, is First Place Winner, Makayla Borchert; Second Place Winner, Lauren Hintz and Third Place Winner, Blaire Aschenbrenner. Back row, L-R, Art Teacher Lorena Hannegrefs; Lions Jan DeLeo, Glen Setterholm and Gayle O'Connor; and Teacher Vickie Tambornino.

NEW ULM — Makayla Borchert, a 6th 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.

Makayla received $50 for her first place entry. Lauren Hintz received $20 for her second place entry and Blaire Aschenbrenner received $15 for her third place entry.

All winners received an Award Certificate along with their monetary prize from the Lions Club. The winners were chosen from 31 posters submitted by the Middle School 6 grade art students.

Lions Clubs International is sponsoring this program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

The winners were selected by Art Teacher Lorena Hannegrefs, Teacher Vickie Tambornino and Lions Jan DeLeo, Glen Setterholm and Gayle O’Connor. Hannegrefs led the project in her 6th grade class with directions from the Lions. The winning poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, ‚ÄúWe Are All Connected‚Äù. Judging took place on November 8th at the Middle School.

Makayla’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.

the contest progresses people can view the international grand prize and merit winners at www.lionsclubs.org/peaceposter. Lions Clubs International has made a strong commitment to community service and helping youth throughout the world.