Sunridge students ‘Dare to Dream’ about peace

Published 5:15 am Wednesday, December 13, 2023

PENDLETON — Three Sunridge Middle School students took top honors in the Pendleton Lions Club’s International Peace Poster Contest. The 2023 theme was “Dare to Dream.”

Pendleton Lions Club member Risa Riggen, who helps coordinate the local contest, said the award presentation was Friday, Dec. 15, at Sunridge Middle School, Pendleton.

Autumn Kolacz won the local contest. The 13-year-old earned $300 for her artistic efforts.

“When you have a dream, you shoot for the moon to achieve it,” Kolacz said in describing her artwork. “Even if you don’t land on the stars, you can help people achieve their dreams, too.”

Angellena Gilmore received $200 for her second-place entry showing that peace can make the world a better place. Morgan Currin placed third, earning $100 for a poster that depicts peace as a way of bringing people together, rather than experiencing sadness related to wars.

The local club, Riggen said, has participated in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest since 1988. Open to students who are 11-13 years old, she said it encourages youths to consider what peace means to them. Riggen coordinates entries with Sunridge teacher John Brandt, who encourages all eligible students, not just those in his art class, to submit an entry.

Because of the international nature of the contest, Riggen said no letters, words or numbers can be used in the artwork.

“The picture on the poster must speak for itself without the need for language interpretation,” she said.

Founded in 1917, Lions International partners with others to help those in need and to strengthen communities, both locally and across the globe. To learn more about the local club, visit www.pendletonlionsclub.org or search Facebook via bit.ly/47PWRcT.

“When you have a dream, you shoot for the moon to achieve it. Even if you don’t land on the stars, you can help people achieve their dreams, too.”

— Autumn Kolacz, 13, winner of Pendleton Lions Club’s 2023 International Peace Poster Contest