Several area elementary school students were recognized for their artwork at The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #260-100 Mile House on Jan. 24.
These young people were the winners of the Remembrance Day Poster & Literacy Contest the Legion hosts annually under the guidance of the local Legion’s poppy chairperson Elsie Urquhart.
Urquhart says there were 66 entries this year, which was down a little from last year, and all of the entries were in the poster category.
She adds the entries came from 100 Mile House, Mile 108, Horse Lake and Bridge Lake elementary schools.
“We had winners from all of the schools, which was just wonderful, and each school will receive a School Program Poppy Appreciation Award.
The first-place winners, who received certificates and cash prizes, were: Mikayla Glen, intermediate (grades 7-9), black and white (B&W) poster; Emily Glen, intermediate, colour poster; Jacob Henderson, junior (grades 4-6), colour poster; and Kayla Taylor, intermediate, B&W poster.
These four students’ entries went to the Zones, where Taylor’s poster took first place and has now been entered in the Provincials.
Legion Zone Commander Vivian McNeil of Williams Lake made a quick speech and then presented Taylor with her certificate and cash prize.
The second-place winners were: Allyce James, intermediate, B&W poster; Ethan Hindmarsh, junior, colour poster; and Sophia Barrick, junior, B&W poster.
Urquhart notes Barrick has entered the contest for three years and she has won a cash prize all three times.
The third-place winners were: Nate Friesen, junior, B&W; and Leon Meilli, junior, colour poster.
Urquhart says the quality of the posters was excellent.
“They were wonderful, beautiful pictures. There is so much talent in this town coming from the students.”
The poppy chairperson adds she will continue running the contest as long as she is able because she “just loves these kids.”
Urquhart notes the presentation at the Legion was very nice.
“The kids were so well-behaved and it was great having all of the parents and their families coming for the event.”