MADISON GIRL, 13, WINS MERIT AWARD

IN LIONS INTERNATIONAL PEACE POSTER CONTEST

OAK BROOK, IL, USA, March 4, 2010—Choiwing Yeung, a 13-year-old girl from the W.C. Polson Middle School, has been named a merit award winner in the 22^nd annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. The theme of this year’s competition was “The Power of Peace.”

            “If we learn to coexist and compromise, and let love and friendship fill our hearts, then peace can light up the world and make it the beautiful, happy place it was meant to be,” said Yeung.

            Yeung’s winning poster was chosen for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of this year’s theme. She is one of 23 merit award winners chosen from more than 350,000 entries drawn by children ages 11 to 13 from 70 countries.

            As a merit award winner, Yeung will be presented with a cash award of US$500 and a certificate of achievement by the Madison Lions Club, local sponsor of the contest.

            “Our club is very excited to have sponsored a merit award winner in this meaningful international contest,” said Richard E. Kennedy, chairperson of the Madison Peace Poster Contest. “We are proud to support local young people and encourage peace and understanding in our community.”

            Lions Clubs International President Eberhard J. Wirfs said, “The youth of today will grow to lead us into a better future. They will remember that the Lions helped them to consider the significance of international cooperation and peace.”

Yu-Min Chen, a 13-year-old girl from Taiwan, created the grand prize winning poster. The merit award winners are from the Bahamas, China, the Dominican Republic, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Switzerland and the United States.

            Yeung enjoys playing the violin, French horn and badminton. She is also involved in swim team, softball, ballet, debate team and the Greater New Haven Concert Orchestra at the Neighborhood Music School.

            The 24 finalists’ peace posters will be exhibited at children’s museums and various locations throughout the United States. They will also be featured prominently at the 93^rd annual Lions Clubs International Convention in Sydney, Australia. Visit the Lions Clubs International Web site, www.lionsclubs.org, to view Peace Posters, learn more about the contest and send Peace Poster e-cards.

            Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, is made up of 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries and geographical locations throughout the world. Lions created the Peace Poster Contest to foster a spirit of peace and international understanding in young people worldwide.