Grace DiMatteo, a 7th grade student at Dover-Sherborn Middle School, has taken the first step to become an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Sherborn Lions Club.
DiMatteo’s poster was among more than 600,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions International is sponsoring the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.
DiMatteo indicated that her poster centered around two hands making a heart to show the people working together while the flags represented the different countries of the world. DiMatteo also combined both rain and sun to signify that as different days pass, peace continues. The poster was selected by the Sherborn Lions Club for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Harmony in Humanity.” The judging was held on November 3rd in Sherborn, Massachusetts.
Sherborn Lions Club President, Andrew Morgens, said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students who entered the contest this year “It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.”
DiMatteo’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,” Peace Poster chair, Joey Talbert, said.
One international grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of $5,000 and will be recognized at a special Lions International awards ceremony. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500.
“Our club is cheering for Grace as her poster advances in the competition, and we hope that her vision will ultimately be shared with others around the world,” Morgens said.
Locally, DiMatteo and other students were honored for their participation by the Sherborn Lions Club on November 4th at the Sherborn 1858 Town House in Sherborn, Massachusetts.
For additional information about the Lions Local and International Peace Poster Contest and media resources, visit www.SherbornLionsClub.org.
