Kate Warkentin, an eighth-grader at Goleta Valley Junior High, has won the 2023 Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club Peace Poster Contest.
Every year, the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club holds the Lions International Peace Poster Contest, fostering an artistic contest among our community’s youth to envision peace.
For 25 years, 8 million children from nearly 100 countries have participated.
This year, the theme Dare To Dream ignited creativity worldwide, including Warkentin’s design that interpreted the growth of a dandelion and its ascension into the sky, intertwined with personal symbolism.
Since winning the local contest, her poster has gone on to win the district competition, and next up is the multiple district contest, a California state-wide contest.
Talking about the inspiration for her winning artwork, Warkentin said: “Dreams and wishes are related.”
In her poster, the dandelion became an important symbol, representing wishes transforming into dreams coming true.
“I want to share that idea with the community,” Warkentin said.
Beyond personal dreams, Warkentin said she aimed for an even broader meaning.
With her family roots in Pakistan, she infused her art with a sense of world unity, making her poster a reflection of her multicultural background by including Pakistan’s flag to pay homage to her family.
“I wanted to share a piece of myself in my artwork,” she said.
The win was a surprise and a moment of pride for Warkentin. ” I never thought I could make it this far,” she said.
While this was the first art contest she has participated in, Warkentin has long been interested in art, both in and out of school; and her entry showcased newfound skills from art class, using blending techniques with colored pencils.
Warkentin shares how she embodies peace in her daily life: “I love talking to people, meeting new people, and learning to connect with everyone.”
Her diverse experiences and navigating different school environments have cultivated connections with people from various walks of life.
Ed Holdren, president of Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club, said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at all the schools that participated in the contest.
“It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them,” he said. “I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.
“Our club is cheering for Kate as her poster advances in the competition, and we hope that her vision will ultimately be shared with others around the world.”
For more about Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest and media resources, visit https://goletasantabarbaralions.org.