At the International youth meeting, Midwest Region director Joel
Farrington suggested an Art Contest for the International show. The
idea was well-received, and we decided to go ahead and try it. The
contest would be open to ALL youth attending the show, including
siblings of exhibitors who don't show themselves. There would be no
entry fee, and all types of art from photography to coloring to
sketching or even sculpture would be accepted. The winner in each of
two age divisions (8&U and 9-18) would get a prize.

The contest was not announced at the show (I was afraid of bothering
the announcer!) but we posted the information and rules at the Youth
Booth. No entries were received.

Next year, we'll be better prepared for the event, with a notice in
the magazine's International section and announcements periodically
throughout the week, plus signage at our YouthBooth. I'd like to see
this become an International tradition- and a way for non-showing
kids to participate in something, too.

One thing that we didn't really discuss specifically- how should this
contest be judged? Any ideas?