Irma Lemus
HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- Drawing her inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci's
Last Supper, Luther Burbank Middle School student Bailey Porter was the
big winner in the Burbank Noon Lions Club 1999 Peace Poster contest.
She created a poster depicting people from different cultures sitting
down to eat at the same table.
Three other Burbank middle school students were also honored Thursday
at the Burbank Central Library for coming up with the winning entries in
the local round of the annual Lions Club contest. The theme of the
contest was "A New Beginning for Peace."
Eleven-year-old Bailey also won the district competition, which was
held Thursday evening after the awards ceremony for the Burbank students.
In the district round, she competed against students from San Fernando
and Antelope valleys.
In addition to a $50 savings bond, Bailey received a trip with her
family to a Lions Club convention in Nevada where her poster will be
judged against winners from throughout California and Nevada.
The other Burbank winners -- all of whom received $50 savings bonds --
were George Shallhoob, 12, of Muir Middle School, Brandon Termini, 13, of
David Starr Jordan Middle School, and D'Mitri Lewis, 11, who entered the
contest through the Burbank Boys & Girls Club and attends Luther Burbank.
"This competition is important because it offers kids -- who might not
have really good grades but are artistic -- the opportunity to express
themselves," said Marva Murphy, Burbank Noon Lions Club secretary and
coordinator of the contest. Murphy said this marked the fourth year the
Noon Lions have sponsored the contest.
D'Mitri said he wanted to incorporate the dove as a symbol of peace
into his poster. He drew a dove flying over a rainbow.
"After looking at the other posters I wanted to paint a colorful
poster," said D'Mitri, who has been drawing since he was 4.
About 54 entries were submitted in the contest, Murphy said. One
winner was chosen from each of the Burbank's three middle schools and one
from the Boys and Girls Club.
"I'm not surprised at all that D'Mitri is being recognized. He has
always been very artistic," said his father, Darrell Lewis. "I'm blessed
to have such a talented son."
U.S. Rep. James Rogan (R-Burbank) attended the awards ceremony and
presented certificates to the children.
