Fifth-grade students win National Missing Children’s Day poster contest

NEWS RELEASE
COLORADO BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
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A Douglas County fifth-grade student submitted a poster that represented Colorado as part of the National Missing Children’s Day campaign sponsored by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Every year the Department of Justice holds a national Missing Children's Day poster contest open to all fifth-grade students across the country. The purpose is to promote awareness among teachers, parents/guardians and children and engage them in discussions about safety. 

The CBI is the state contest manager. Colorado has been hosting the contest since 2014.

"This year's artwork shows the talent of our youth in Colorado and how evocative images can provide a critical voice to this community issue that effects far too many,” said CBI Director Chris Schaefer. 

This year’s poster slogan was “Bringing Our Missing Children Home,” and this year’s contest received 54 entrees from nine schools across the state.

The 2024 first-place winner is Mason McCarthy from Global Village Academy in Douglas County. McCarthy's picture depicted a tearful child with her hand pressed forward and the words "Please help me!" written on her palm as she stood in front of a row of houses meant to represent a marker that home will always be there waiting for children to return to. 

Because McCarthy won the statewide contest, his poster was submitted to the national competition. Unfortunately, his poster was not selected at the national level, however Mason's artwork amazed all the participating voters this year with such a moving message in reference to the theme "Bringing Our Missing Children Home."

The second-place winner was Jaden Vera of Carbon Valley Academy in Frederick. Vera submitted a poster of a flashlight shining a light on the planet with a silhouette of two parents hugging a child. The image is meant to bring lost children to the light.

The third-place winner was a tie between Daniela Sanchez of McGraw Elementary in Fort Collins and Brynn Stulp of the Holly School District in Holly. Sanchez's drawing showcased a large tree with children climbing branches to eventually reach parents waiting near their home for their child to return. The tree is meant to be a sign of strength with each branch an obstacle for children to climb on their way home. Stulp created a photomontage of children in various stages of life from toddler pictures to senior portraits to emphasize how any child can be kidnapped at any moment. 

The CBI and the DOJ commemorate the valiant and unselfish acts of the many organizations and individuals who bring our missing children home.

Tens of thousands of children are reported missing in the United States each year. Law enforcement, citizens, and even children have been instrumental in keeping children safe and returning them home to their families, communities and schools.

May 25 is National Missing Children’s Day.

For more information, visit the National Missing Children's Day webpage maintained by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

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