KSP searching for fifth-grade artists to promote national ‘Missing Children’s Day’

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The Kentucky nominee will receive an Award of Excellence from KSP

From the KPA News Content Service

FRANKFORT -- Kentucky State Police are looking for fifth-grade artists to compete in the National Missing Children’s Day poster contest sponsored by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
 

KSP will select a nominee from Kentucky and forward it to DOJ, where one poster from all state nominated entries will be selected as a winner. The artist of the national winning poster will win a free trip to Washington, D.C. and participate in the National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony where they will receive an award and a U.S. Savings Bond.
 

The Kentucky nominee will receive an Award of Excellence from KSP and their poster will be prominently displayed at the Kentucky State Fair in KSP’s Safety Town Exhibit.
 

Lt. David Jude is the commander for the KSP Public Affairs Branch, where posters from across the Commonwealth will be judged.
“This is a great opportunity for our agency to participate in a national effort to bring missing children home safely, while highlighting the importance of proactive educational programs,” Jude said. 

“The poster contest and the educational activities that accompany it are designed to assist with this mission by keeping the issue at the forefront of people’s awareness.”

“The effectiveness of the program is based on the concept that a message conveyed by a fellow student carries more weight with other students and is therefore more memorable,” Jude adds.

The theme for the contest is "Bring Our Missing Children Home" and Jude advised that the contest is open to fifth graders across the country. Many schools incorporate this campaign as part of a lesson plan in the classroom.

Last year in Kentucky, 1,574 minor children were reported missing. As of Feb. 16, there have been 254 children reported missing in the state. Nationally, 800,000

children are reported missing every year.

Jude said he hopes this contest will remind parents to talk with their children about safety awareness and remind youth of simple basic rules:

· Never go out alone.
· Always tell an adult where you’re going.
· Say NO if you feel threatened physically or sexually and tell a trusted adult.
· Don’t let peer pressure lure you into drugs or alcohol. Have the confidence to say NO to substances that could harm your body and cloud your judgment.

More safety information is available online from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at http://www.missingkids.com.
KSP has contest guidelines and information on its website at www.kentuckystatepolice.org. 

Poster entries should be mailed to Kentucky State Police on or before April 4, 2011 to the KSP Public Affairs Branch, 919 Versailles Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. For more information, please contact the Branch at 502-782-1781.

More safety information is available online from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at http://www.missingkids.com.