Christi Cage, Westwind Communities in Schools Coordinator, said individual schools were given the opportunity to host a school wide poster competition first. She said that once they determined the top posters at Westwind, they submit them to the Lion’s Club chairperson to be judged in the overall county competition.
“This is the first year that the Lubbock Lion’s Club opened up this contest to the entire county of elementary schools,” Cage said. “There were a total of 78 posters turned in to the Lion’s Club chairperson, and then and a first, second and third place winner were selected.”
Cage said the Lubbock Lion’s Club has been running this contest for several years with LISD schools, but this year opened it up to all Lubbock county schools.
“It began with the idea of helping with the war on drugs and has turned into a preventative measure for our children,” Cage said.
Conner Sandell won first place and A.J. Acuna won second place in the Westwind campus competition. On the day of the competition, MJ Smith, Lubbock Christian University Chief of Police, and 2nd Vice President for the Lion’s Club, came to deliver the boys with their prize ribbons. They were also awarded cash prizes of $10 for first place and $5 for second place, and t-shirts. Chief Smith then took Sandell’s poster to be judged at the county level.
Last week, Sandell’s poster was awarded first place in the county. The poster he created focused on the theme “Addiction is a Thief.” He then displayed photos of things that addiction can “steal,” such as ones health, money, and friends.
Westwind Principal, Brandy Copeland, said it is her goal to ensure students are supported academically, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
“It's never too early to begin to educate students about how drugs and alcohol can negatively impact your life,” Copeland said. “We want them to know the dangers to be aware of and how to avoid these situations as well as equip them with tools to handle situations at an age appropriate level. During the month of October, we focused on drug awareness and bullying during weekly enrichment activities so Connor’s submission was spot on!”
The Lubbock Lion’s Club will be honoring Sandell at an awards luncheon on Tuesday, December 8.