Jaime Valdovinos has won the Fillmore Lions Club Annual Peace Poster Contest after being a runner up last year. The theme was "Peace begins with me". The runner- ups were Marianna Gonzalez, who won the contest the past two years, Emelio Hernandez, and Amanda Vasseur. Art teacher Doris Nichols submitted more than 200 posters. She stated that this year's students produced the best art work and design of recent years. "They just keep doing better and better," said Nichols. Judges Bill Edmonds and Ken Mittan had a very difficult time choosing the winner.

Jaime's poster was among more than 375,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 21st annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere. "Earth would be better if peace was everywhere", stated the 13 year old winner. The poster was selected by the judges for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, "Peace begins with me".

Jaime's poster faced tough competition at the tri-counties Lions District competition, and did not advance. The final whining poster will face tough competition through district, multiple district, and international rounds of competition. One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The winner will receive a cash award of $2500 and a trip to the United Nations for Lions Day. You can view international grand prize and merit award winners at www.lionsclubs.org.

Jaime, Marrianna, Emelio, and Amanda received their awards at the Fillmore Lions Club meeting of February 16.