Fifth Grade Students Win National Missing Children's Day Poster Contest

PRESS RELEASE
COLORADO BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
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A Douglas County fifth grader submitted a poster representing 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).

Each year, the Department of Justice holds a national Missing Children's Day poster competition, open to all fifth graders nationwide. The aim is to raise awareness and engage teachers, parents/guardians and children in discussions about safety.

The CBI is the state's competitive examination manager. Colorado has hosted the competition since 2014.

“This year’s artwork showcases the talent of our Colorado youth and how evocative images can give a critical voice to this community issue that affects far too many people,” said CBI Director Chris Schaefer.

This year's poster slogan was “Bringing Our Missing Children Home” and this year's competition received 54 entries from nine schools across the state.

The 2024 first place winner is Mason McCarthy of Global Village Academy in Douglas County. McCarthy's photo depicted a child in tears 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 the house will always be there waiting for the children to return.

Because McCarthy won the statewide competition, his poster was submitted to the national competition. Unfortunately, his poster was not selected nationally, but Mason's artwork amazed all 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 depicting a flashlight illuminating the planet with a silhouette of two parents hugging a child. The image is intended to shine a light on lost children.

The third-place winner was a tie between Daniela Sanchez of McGraw Elementary School in Fort Collins and Brynn Stulp of the Holly School District in Holly. Sanchez's drawing depicted a large tree with children climbing the branches to eventually reach parents waiting near their homes for their child's return. The tree is meant to be a sign of strength, with each branch an obstacle that children can climb on their way home. Stulp created a photomontage of children at different stages of their lives, from photos of toddlers to portraits of elderly people, to highlight that any child can be kidnapped at any time.

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

Tens of thousands of children go missing each year in the United States. 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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