Shepherdstown Middle School art teacher Katie MacKinnon, left, stands beside her student, Lilly Vincent, as she is announced as the winner of the 2024 Peace Poster Contest by Shepherdstown Centennial Lions Club president Cheryl Roberts. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On Friday, the Shepherdstown Centennial Lions Club announced that the winner of its 2024-2025 Peace Poster Contest was a student at Shepherdstown Middle School.

Sixth grade student Lilly Vincent was announced as the contest winner. This past fall, she submitted a poster inspired by the contest’s 2024-2025 theme, “Peace Without Limits,” featuring a vibrant picture of the earth being held in the hands of two people from different racial backgrounds and surrounded by the flags of different countries.

A dove, in the foreground, flies across the center of the earth, to highlight the poster’s focus on peace.

“The Shepherdstown Centennial Lions Club is pleased to announce the winner of its 2024 Peace Poster Contest. This year’s winner is Lilly Vincent of Shepherdstown Middle School. Every year, the Lions Club challenges students to take up their art supplies and envision a more peaceful world,” said Shepherdstown Centennial Lions Club Effie Kallas, indicating Vincent had done just that. “Congratulations, Lilly!”

Shepherdstown Centennial Lions Club president Cheryl Roberts presented the announcement to Vincent last week, as her art teacher, Katie MacKinnon, proudly looked on. MacKinnon was one of the art teachers in the Shepherdstown area who led her students to create and submit posters for the contest.

To be eligible for participation in this contest, students must be ages 11-13 as of Nov. 15 of the contest year and must live in the Shepherdstown area, according to Kallas.

They must submit a poster inspired by a theme, which is selected every year by the Lions Club International. Contest winners on the club level are eligible to advance to competition on the regional level and, eventually, the international level.

According to Lions Club International, the contest has proven extremely popular, which has contributed to its longevity.

“For over three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring a very special art contest in schools and youth groups,” said a statement by Lions Club International on its website. “Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity.”

Lions Club International has already announced the theme of its 2025-2026 Peace Poster Contest, for those hoping to participate in it. “Together As One” will be the theme for next year’s young artists to be inspired by.

“When we come together, we can do amazing things,” said Lions Club International. “We’re inviting students around the world to envision what can happen when a diverse group of people unites around a common cause or goal. Imagine a world where we all come together as one!”