Poster Contest Finalists Use Art to Beat Bullying

After months of deliberating, city officials have chosen three students as the top finalists in this year's Young Artist Poster Contest. 

Sedona Van Deren, Olivia Barajas and Ymer Bjornson will have their posters professionally printed and distributed throughout Gilroy and school district facilities, Jacqui Carrasco, public information officer for the City of Gilroy, wrote in a prepared statement.

The . A total of 79 posters were submitted from children in grades kinder through high school with the theme, “Be a Friend...Put a STOP to Bullying!” 

“Bullying can have such a horrible impact on anybody, especially students at school. It's just a very nice way to begin dialoguing—not only at school, but at home—about the importance of friendship," Cathy Mirelez, Recreation Department supervisor for the City of Gilroy, said in January. 

Of those 79 submissions, 16 contestants were singled out as the judges' favorites and received Judges Favorite Awards. Ribbons and prizes were awarded to the 16 students during a special city council meeting on May 21, Carrasco states. 

Are you Patched in? Get our free newsletter in your inbox every morning. Register here.

Into social media? So are we. Join us on Facebook, Twitter or instagr.am (@gilroy_patch).