Kate Warkentin, an 8th Grade student at Goleta Valley Junior High, has taken the first step to become an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club.
Warkentin’s poster was among more than 600,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.
“Dream Big Dreams,” the 13 year old from Santa Barbara said. The poster was selected by a vote of the entire club for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Dare to Dream.” The judging was held on October 31 at the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club Meeting which is held at Frog Bar and Grill at Glen Annie Golf Club.
Warkentin’s poster will advance through the district, multiple district and international levels of competition. 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 awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500.
For winning the local competition, Warkentin was given a $100 Amazon Gift Card and the 2nd Place Runner Up and 3rd Place Runner Up each received respectively a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a $25 Amazon Gift Card.