WLB Lions Club poster contest winner named

West Long Branch — Alyssa Reis, an eighth grader at the Frank Antonides School in West long Branch has won first place in this year’s annual peace poster contest. Second place was awarded to Keiran O’Connell, a sixth grader.

John Aria, Chairman for the Lions Club Poster Contest; Alyssa Reis, winner; Frank Antonides School art teacher Christina Andreasi; Keiran O’Connel, second place; and WLB Lions Club president Tom DeBruin.

Sponsored by the West long Branch Lions Club, the international competition emphasizes the importance of world peace.

The poster was selected by Christina Andreasi, the art teacher at FAS, Frank Mainieri, an art teacher at Long Branch High School, and John Aria, contest chairman for the WLB Lions Club.

“Obviously these young students are passionate about the importance of world peace and it is reflected in their posters,” Club president Tom DeBruin said, “I am proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to express their visions.”

DeBruin said that Alyssa’s poster will face stiff competition through the district, multiple district and international rounds of competition if she is to be declared the grand prize winner.

Alyssa’s poster will be among the more than 400 entries submitted worldwide. One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a $5,000 cash award plus a trip to the United Nations for the artist and two family members to attend the awards ceremony at the Lion’s Day held there.

The 23 merit award winners will receive a certificate and a cash award for $500.

“Our club is cheering for Alyssa as her poster advances in the competition” Aria said.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.35 million members in more than 207 countries. Their mission is to conquer blindness.
International grand prize and merit award winners can be viewed at www.lionsclubs.org.