Excelsior Middle School seventh-grader and Discovery Bay resident Jordan Fuller, 13, recently took the first step toward becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a competition sponsored by the Byron Delta Lions Club.

Jordan’s poster will be among more than 350,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International sponsors the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

“I want to spread the hope that all cultures push violence aside and come together to see a vision of peace and make the world a better place to live in for all,” said Jordan.

Under the direction of Excelsior art teacher Kathy Tickner, more than 85 contest entries were submitted at the local level. Jordan’s poster was named the first-place winner by three local artists: Steve Walde, a retired high school art teacher; Shirley Quinlan, a local artist; and Sheila Fisher, a high school student and artist. The posters were judged on originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme Vision of Peace.

Other winners of the Peace Poster Contest were Maggie Hernandez, second place; Dylan Englund, third place; and Alexis Pangilinan, fourth place.

Byron Delta Lions Club President Joyce Sutay was impressed by Excelsior students’ expressivity and creativity. “It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them,” said Sutay. “I am so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.”

Jordan’s poster will advance through the Lions district, multiple district and international levels of competition. The international grand-prize winner will be awarded $5,000 plus a trip (for the winner and two family members) to the awards ceremony on Lions Day at the United Nations. Jordan also earned a $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble and a Certificate of Achievement.

– Contributed by Kathy Doty