Zahar Roque, a student at Fillmore Middle School has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning the local competition sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club.

Zahar’s poster was among more than 230 entries in Fillmore. There are over 375,000 entries submitted world wide in the 27th annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

Her poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Peace Love and Understanding”. The judging was held on November 13 at the Fillmore Middle School.

Ariana Bensen’s and Esmeralda Orozco’s posters were selected as second place winners. Miss Roque received a heck of $50 as the winner and Miss Orozco and Miss Bensen received $25 each.

The Fillmore Lions Club presented the awards Monday evening, December 1. They were all impressed by the expression and creativity that was presented Miss Roque’s poster which 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 US$5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to 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 US$500.

The judges were very impressed by the overall work that this years participants created. The judges have done this several times and this years posters were the best they have had to judge.

All participants are students in Mrs. Doris Nichols' art class at Fillmore Middle School. Mrs. Nichols is commended for her assistance in this annual event.