Elijah Cole, a eighth-grade student at West Pine Middle School, has taken the second step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning both the local and state competition sponsored by the Seven Lakes Lions Club.

Cole’s poster was among more than 350,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

“The use of the doves of peace in my poster defines peace, while flying within the universe,” the 13-year-old from West End said.

The poster was selected by William Byers Jr., professor of art at Brevard College in Brevard, for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme “The Power of Peace.”

Seven Lakes Lions Club President Howard Pierce said, “I was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at West Pine Middle School. It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.”

Cole’s poster has advanced through the district and multiple district levels of competition, and he is waiting judging at the international level.

One international grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of $2,500, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to an awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500.

“Our club is cheering for Elijah as his poster advances in the competition, and we hope that his vision will ultimately be shared with others around the world,” said Pierce.

Locally, Cole and two other students will be honored for their participation by the Seven Lakes Lions Club at a dinner in March.

View past international grand prize winners at www.lionsclubs.org.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in 205 countries and geographical areas around the world.

Since 1917 Lions Clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.