Chelsea Prescott, a student at Coupeville Middle School, took the first step in becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Coupeville Lions Club.

Prescott’s poster was among more than 400,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 28th annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

“True peace can only be seen by those willing to look beyond the blanket of a painful reality,” the 12-year-old from Coupeville said. “Peace, not war.”

The poster was selected by the Coupeville Lions for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Share Peace.”

One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected.

The grand prize includes $5,000 and a trip for the winner and two family members to the awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations.

The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and $500.

View international grand prize and merit award winners at www.lionsclubs.org