For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q3079
April 6, 2007
EMPHASIS: Patrol Announces Poster Contest Winner

Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to express his appreciation to all the fifth grade students throughout the state who participated in the National Missing and Exploited Children’s Day Poster Contest. The posters illustrated the “Bring Our Missing Children Home” theme. Col. Keathley congratulates Missouri’s first place winner, Miss Rylie White, who attends Lathrop Elementary in Lathrop, MO. Miss White’s winning artwork has been entered in the National Missing and Exploited Children’s Day Poster Contest in Washington, D.C. A national winner will be selected early in May. Last years Missouri winner, Catherine Braun from Our Lady of the Snows School in Mary’s Home, Missouri, also won the National Missing and Exploited Children’s Day poster contest.

The Patrol also recognizes Miss Latisha Russell, who attends Iron County C-4, in Viburnum, MO, and Miss Olivia Fleer, who attends Franklin County R-2, in New Haven, MO. These two students were selected first and second runner up, respectively, in Missouri’s state contest.

Each year, on May 25, our nation remembers its missing children. The goal of National Missing Children's Day is to bring public attention to the growing problem of missing children. On National Missing Children's Day, members of the Patrol will drive with their headlights on. The public is invited to do the same, remembering those children who are not home.

“The Patrol is the designated clearinghouse for Missouri’s missing persons and children reports,” said Col. Keathley. “We feel this poster contest is a creative way to help children communicate about a serious situation that occurs somewhere in our nation every day. I want to thank all of the students who participated in this year’s poster contest, and especially congratulate Miss White, Miss Russell, and Miss Fleer.”

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