Soroptimist International of Hanford would like local youth -- boys and girls -- to express their inspiration drawn from women through art.

School-aged children in Kings County's public and private schools are being encouraged by the professional women's organization to submit their artistic offerings for an international winter competition, "Live Your Dream."

The contest asks children to draw a present-day woman who inspires them and has brought enlightenment, happiness and motivation into their lives. The subject of the art can be someone they know personally, such as their teacher, mother and grandmother, or a prominent woman they admire as a role model.

All students ages between 4 and 18 are eligible to participate. Deadline for local entries is Dec.15. All entries will be then sent to the international contest by Dec. 30.

Amory Elizondo, event committee chair, says Hanford Soroptimists plans to hold its own event between Dec. 15 and 30 to showcase local students' artwork. Those wishing to participate in the contest are asked to do a hand drawing of a woman who inspires them and write a creative narrative to convey why they think this woman is inspirational, she said.

The art competition is in honor of Women's History Month in March, which celebrates women and their contribution to the world, said Brandi Owens, public relations coordinator for the local organization.

"Amazing women work hard every day to help their families -- that's what we represent. Getting the children inspired into drawing these figures really ties into what we do," Owens said. "Some people may not even know that they are recognized or they inspire somebody.

"For them to know that children look up to them would be neat."

Hanford Soroptimists has approached various organizations and schools to get the word out about the event as well as to encourage schools to promote the contest as an educational opportunity, said Tana Elizondo, president of the local club.

Elizondo said the club doesn't want the local  women who make a difference in the community to go unnoticed.

But to do that, understanding these women from children's point of view is important, she said.

"Everybody's interpretation of various people are different, and it's very important that we do look at it through children's eyes, because they do look at things differently," Elizondo said.

"They are our future."

The artwork submitted will be judged in five different age categories: ages 4-6, ages 7-9, ages 10-12, ages 13-15, and ages 16-18.

Winners in the first two categories will receive a local prize of $50 in savings bonds and winners in the latter three categories, $100 in savings bonds.

The national prize would provide $100 to the winner as well as $100 to the student's school.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

If you submit

-- For more information, contact e-mail Amory Elizondo at amorae87@comcast.net or call her at 707-0759.

-- The entry form is available for download online at www.sihanford.org.

(Nov. 14, 2009)