Nadia Pavo, a seventh-grader at Midway Middle School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Liberty Coastal Lions Club in Midway.

Pavo’s poster was among more than 200 entries from MMS and is one of more than 600,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 30th annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs International is sponsoring the contest to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

Pavo’s poster will advance to competitions through district, state and international rounds.

Second place went to Miahann Warrick and third place went to Rochelle Laurienzo, both MMS students.

Each winner received a certificate and a gift card. Certificates of appreciation were presented to Beverly Wulforst, visual arts instructor and contest coordinator, and Midway Middle School for their participation.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas.

In addition to its efforts toward conquering blindness, the organization has made a strong commitment to community service and helping youth throughout the world.