Andover Elementary Middle School has been doing the Peace Posters for a few years now. The Peace Poster is an art project opened up to grades six through eight. Each year, there is a different peace theme. For example, this year was The Journey of Peace. The Lions Club organizes the Peace Poster project. Courtney Minnehan (AE/MS’ art teacher) informs the students about the project and works with them during and after school.
This year, the Peace Poster was a lot more successful than in past years. There were definitely more students excited about doing Peace Posters. Courtney Minnehan says, “This is the first year I’ve opened it up to sixth grade and I think that the students did really well this year. We had a very good outcome.” If this year’s outcome was a lot better than most years, maybe opening the program up to the sixth graders should become a regular thing! Two of the winners this year were from the sixth grade. The second place winner, Ella Rogers, believes that “[The Peace Posters] were really cool and the sixth graders should be able to do it every year.” Hopefully, Ms. Minnehan will agree.
The Peace Poster isn’t just a contest giving out a cash prize. It also has the students think about what peace actually means to them. Asa Gilman, this year’s first place winner, says, “Peace helps the world be a better place. When I think of peace, I think of racial equality and saving the planet.” It’s an amazing thing to get children to think about these kinds of things. This year’s third place winner, Elizabeth (Eliza) Henderson-McDonald, has been doing the Peace Poster for several years and she believes, “It’s a good way to get people involved,” and it really is! There hasn’t been a single year where no one wanted to do The Peace Poster!
The Peace Poster is a wonderful school tradition. It’s something that allows people to express their opinion on peace through art. It also boosts the confidence and gets aspiring artists to work more on their art skills. The winners receive cash prizes and winners will go on to the state, national, and international competitions. Good luck to everyone involved!