SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State Jesse White honored four Illinois students who were the winners of the 12th Annual Organ/Tissue Donor Poster Contest at a ceremony in his Statehouse office today.
The grand prizewinner was Jared Richmond, a 2nd grade student from Riverdale Elementary in Port Byron. Jared received a $100 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble Booksellers for designing the best poster in the state. In addition, copies of his poster will be displayed throughout the state.
"I want to congratulate Jared Richmond for designing such a wonderful poster," White said. "Jared's poster design will be used to help promote organ and tissue donation this year. We will proudly display copies of his poster in every Secretary of State facility and provide copies of his poster to schools and libraries throughout Illinois.
"Top honors have rarely gone to a student in the youngest age category. It is a tribute not only to Jared, but to his parents, teachers and school, that his poster was chosen as the overall prize winner."
The students who won the other age categories each received a $50 gift certificate from Barnes & Noble Booksellers and were awarded a certificate of excellence from Secretary of State Jesse White.
Winners were selected from four age groups: grades K-2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. The four winning poster designs were chosen from thousands of entries sent in by students throughout Illinois.
"I would like to congratulate each of the winners of this year's poster contest as well as all the students who entered the contest," said White. "Not only did these children have the opportunity to express their artistic talents, but they have also helped educate and enlighten people about the benefits of organ and tissue donation."
Winners of each age category for this year's organ and tissue donor poster contest are:
Jared Richmond (K-2) OVERALL WINNER
2nd grade, Riverdale Elementary School, Port Byron
Jacob Hendricks (3-5)
5th grade, Brown County Middle School, Versailles
Angela Rodems (6-8)
8th grade, Auburn Middle School, Auburn
Mark Distelhorst (9-12)
12th grade, O'Fallon Township High School, O'Fallon
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