Washington Elementary School Student Wins Local Competition in Lions International Peace Poster Contest

MAY 2026 - Alyssa Bell, a fifth-grade student at Washington Elementary School, has won a local competition sponsored by the Lorain Lions Club in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

The contest encourages children ages 11 to 13 to create a poster inspired by this year’s theme, “Harmony in Humanity.”  This contest allows students to share their unique images of peace with others, so that we may all have greater tolerance and international understanding.

A total of 13 student-artists submitted posters, required to be on a white poster board with specific dimensions.  Artwork must be the student’s original creation without the use of AI-generated art or copyrighted characters and trademarks. 

Alyssa's artwork was selected by a panel of three Lorain Lion Club judges, Ralph O’Hara, Club secretary, Tom Bruno, Club president, and Norm Bendnarski, Club member.  Judges evaluated entries for its originality, artistic merit and strong portrayal of the contest theme, “Harmony in Humanity”.

“Bell, a 11-year-old student created a poster that captured the contest theme, ‘Harmony in Humanity’ emphasizing a worldwide recognized symbol of peace,” said Mitchell J. Fallis, Lorain Lions Club marketing director.

O’Hara praised the expression and creativity of the school’s artists.  “I’m thrilled that Lorain Lions were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions and participate in a global competition with over 600,000 students participating.”

Bell’s poster will advance through the district, multiple districts, and international levels of competition.  The international grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 cash award and honored at a special Lions International awards ceremony along with twenty-three merit award winners, each receiving a certificate and a cash award of $500.