Raechel Sikorski, a seventh-grade student at Gowanda Middle School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Gowanda Lion's Club.

     Sikorski's poster was among more than 325,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 16th annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

     The poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, "Create a Brighter Tomorrow."

     Sikorski's poster now advances to the next level of judging, the district in Buffalo. Her entry will compete with entries from other local Peace Poster Contest winners. The poster will face stiff competition through the district round and three more rounds of competition.

     Ultimately, one grand prize winner will be selected from 24 international finalists. The grand prize includes a cash award of $2,500 plus a trip for the winner and two family members to New York City for the awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations. As merit award winners, the remaining 23 finalists will each receive certificates and a cash award of $500.