VERO BEACH — It’s so important to keep kids safe when they go boating. That’s the reason for the annual Boarman USPS Youth Poster Contest.
The Vero Beach Power Squadron (VBPS) hosts this annual event, which honors the poster contest winners from District 8, which includes the VBPS.
The award ceremony was held at the Vero Beach Yacht Club for posters created by the youth last year in 2012. The awards were presented by Past Commander Robert “Woody” Boarman.
“Woody” was approached in 2006 by then National Youth Activities Chairman, Past Rear Commander Roberta Dougherty to sponsor the Youth Poster Contest, which had been on the list of youth activities for some time but needed to be resurrected.
At that time, the VBPS suddenly got involved in the contest by sending volunteers into local classrooms to instruct the youth on the use of life jackets, anchors, lights, etc. They explain safe boating and show safety equipment. They even do a “sink or float” experiment with the students.
After squadron members speak to the classes, students are asked to submit a poster demonstrating what they learned. The contest is open to all children ages 6–14. This year’s theme was “Let’s Boat Safe and Clean.”
First, second, and third place awards were given in three age groups. Posters had to be in color and were judged for the idea presented more than artistic ability.
The 2012 District 8 and VBPS winners were:
3rd place – Shaniah Thompson 6-8, Kaitlyn Keller 9-11, Emily Shephard 12-14
2nd place – Vivien Botar 6-8, Jeralyn Aparicio 9-11, Madigan Knight 12-14
1st place – J. J. Ballantyne 6-8, Samantha Callingwood 9-11, Madison King 12-14
Madison King won First Place at the squadron level and additionally, she won 1st Place at the District 8 contest.
The district winning posters were then judged at the National Convention in Jacksonville in January, which was when Madison won 2nd in her age group (12-14.)
The competition to place in the top three in each age group is huge, since posters could come from 450 squadrons. Only the 1st Place winners from each age group in each district are sent to the National Convention.