by Kristopher Kempski 

“I was staring at the dark sky, and I imagined seeing our planet Earth from a distance. Suddenly, I could see a white dove shining with light and bringing good news to Earth … people from all over the world decided to live in peace,” said Cleverson da Silva Rosa of his grand prize winning peace poster. “Roses were scattered everywhere as a gesture expressing peace … harmony became reality. That is ‘Peace Without Borders’ taking over humankind.”

Rosa was one of approximately 350,000 children from 75 countries who participated in this year’s Lions International Peace Poster Contest, with the theme “Peace Without Borders.” The posters were narrowed down at the club, district and multiple district levels before reaching the international level, where Rosa’s poster was one of 111 finalists in the international judging. This year’s international judging took place at The Peace Museum in Chicago, Illinois. At each of the levels, the posters were judged based on three criteria, including originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the theme.

This was the first time that Rosa, a 13-year-old boy from the rural town of Cidade Gaucha in Parana, Brazil, won an art contest. He became interested in art at a very early age and, when the Cidade Gaucha Lions Club sponsored his school (Colegio Estadual Marechal Costa e Silva) in the Peace Poster Contest, he jumped at the chance to participate.

As in many of the participating classrooms around the world, the contest provided an opportunity for Rosa and his classmates to discuss peace. Rosa’s teacher, Simone, led the discussion on peace, helping the students to come up with creative ideas and thoughts on what peace means to each of them.

“I believe that the Peace Poster Contest is important because it challenges youth all over the world to find the meaning of peace and express it through a work of art,” said Rosa.

This year’s contest was also a first for the members of the Cidade Gaucha Lions Club, which had never before sponsored the Lions International Peace Poster Contest. The contest, now entering its 19th year, is sponsored annually by Lions around the globe for 11, 12 and 13-year-old boys and girls in order to foster a spirit of peace and international understanding in young people worldwide.

“By sponsoring the Peace Poster Contest, we were able to promote peace in our community and around the world, while creating bonds with the school, students and families in our area,” said Dorival Alvim Anderson, president of the Cidade Gaucha Lions Club. “We were thrilled that Cleverson’s poster was chosen as the grand prize winner.”

After being informed that Rosa had won the grand prize in the contest, members of the Cidade Gaucha Lions Club went to Rosa’s home to deliver the news in person. The entire family was very appreciative and excited. Afterwards, the family visited Rosa’s grandmother to share the news with her.

“Since the Lions had come to our house to tell my family, my grandmother was the first person I was able to tell myself,” said Rosa. “She was very happy and proud of me.”

News of Rosa’s accomplishment spread quickly through his town. His neighbors were proud that someone from their hometown had created something so beautiful. They were also excited for Rosa, knowing that he would travel to New York City where the Lions would present him with an award.

“Cidade Gaucha is a small town,” said Rosa. “People are very familiar and friendly with one another.”

His school celebrated his achievement, making a banner and presenting him with a digital camera to take photos of his trip. The sponsoring Lions club enlarged a photo of his winning poster to display. Local media interviewed Rosa and published information about his triumph in the newspapers.

As the grand prize winner, Rosa was flown with two family members and the sponsoring club president to New York City for a special awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations. This was another first for Rosa, who had never been on an airplane, visited the United States. Rosa’s father, brother and Anderson and his wife, Estella, accompanied Rosa on the trip.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip,” said Mrs. Anderson. “Without this contest, none of us might have had this opportunity.”

While in New York City, the group from Brazil took a double-decker bus tour, which provided them with a visual and historic look into one of the most famous cities in the world. They also visited various well-known sites, including the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition to these sites, Rosa enjoyed seeing the cars in the United States, especially the limousines – not common in his Brazilian hometown.

On March 10, the group attended Lions Day with the United Nations. The morning session included speeches by International President Dr. Ashok Mehta and Lech Walesa, 1983 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former president of the Republic of Poland. Anderson also spoke at the event.

“It is like a dream to be in such a big city, I am honored to be breathing the same air as all of you,” said Anderson. “No matter where we are from, we are all united in peace.”
At the event, two merit award winners joined Rosa: Wade Angeli, sponsored by the Fairfax Host Lions Club in Virginia; and Gina Lee, sponsored by the St. Albans Lions Club in New York. All three students revealed their posters. President Mehta presented Angeli and Lee with certificates of recognition and Rosa with an award and a check for $2,500.

“I am very happy to be here,” said Rosa. “Thank you, Lions, for this honor.”
 
President Mehta asked Lions clubs who sponsored the contest to stand and be recognized.

“Thank you all for supporting today’s youth through this program,” said President Mehta. “I would like to encourage all clubs to become involved in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest.”

In the afternoon, the three students joined their families, club president and Mrs. Anderson, a group of Lions attendees and United Nations dignitaries in the private dining rooms of the United Nations for a luncheon. Afterward, the group returned for the afternoon session and to tour the United Nations building.

“Winning the contest has been amazing. I have really enjoyed my trip, especially meeting new people and visiting the museums,” said Rosa. “The Lions and this contest have given me incredible opportunities.”

Rosa hopes someday to return to the United States, specifically New York City and Chicago. He plans to study art and would like to continue to be an artist. For now he will continue to draw and paint, including his favorite subjects – roses, animals and cars.

Rosa’s peace poster, along with the other 23 finalist peace posters, will be exhibited during the year at children’s museums and various locations throughout the United States. The display will debut at the 89th annual Lions Clubs International Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.

To view the winning posters, send an e-card, download a kit order form or learn more about Lions International Peace Poster Contest, click here. Kits for this year’s Peace Poster Contest, with the theme “Celebrate Peace,” are now available for purchase from the Club Supplies Sales Department.