Emma Sebranek of Hillsboro earned first place in the Lions District 27-D2 Peace Poster Contest.

Winners were announced Feb. 6 at the District Convention in Lake Delton. Sebranek, a seventh grader at Hillsboro Middle School, competed with artists throughout the seven-county district to earn the blue ribbon and a monetary prize.

Sebranek depicted this year’s theme, “Share Peace,” with a massive tree cradling the earth, its branches embracing the seven continents of the world and its roots sharing common ground. A young girl seated at the base of the tree reads intently from an open book. From its pages flows a graceful banner, in the colors of many nations, connecting the peoples of the world through understanding. Globe-encircling bands, suggesting lines of communication, reinforce Sebranek’s vision of the oneness of humanity. The joyous result of this world of understanding is the release of pure white doves from an open cage on the base of the tree.

“The focal point of my poster is the girl reading,” Sebranek said, “for peace comes through understanding.”
Asked to describe the inspiration for her work of art, Sebranek wrote, “Plant the seeds of peace through education, as we are all branches of the same tree.”

A serious artist, Sebranek revealed that she had done five drafts for her peace poster before creating the ultimate design.

Lions International has approximately 1.4 million members worldwide and encompasses more countries than the United Nations. Lions serve through their communities and the world in many ways, including vision and health initiatives, disaster relief, and youth outreach. It takes great pride in the work of young artists like Emma Sebranek in promoting the spirit of peace.