Two Carman students have earned top honours in the Royal Canadian Legion’s National Youth Remembrance Contest, winning their respective age categories in the colour poster division.
Andrew Gill’s Junior Colour poster earned top honours in his age category
Kylie DeRuiter was named the Provincial Winner in the Senior Colour Poster category, earning a $100 award and advancing to national judging. Andrew Gill won the Junior Colour Poster category.
DeRuiter’s poster uses a film roll design to reflect different moments of sacrifice.
“In the picture, I was going for three different images on a film roll, each one showing an example of their sacrifice,” said DeRuiter. “The main idea of the drawing is to remember the sacrifice that the veterans gave, especially leaving their families behind.”
While creating the piece, one historic image stood out to her in particular.
“When I drew this poster I thought of the middle photo, especially the ‘Wait for Me, Daddy’ photo,” she said. “This single snapshot became very famous during WWII. It depicts a touching image of a young boy breaking away from his mother’s arms to say goodbye to his father one last time before he left for war. The other photos were also special but the middle one affected me the most.”
She hopes viewers pause and reflect when they see the artwork.
“When people see my drawing I hope they are reminded, as my poster states: ‘Never forget their sacrifice.’ They left their families behind and fought for freedom.”
For DeRuiter, Remembrance Day carries personal meaning.
“Remembrance Day reminds me of the ultimate sacrifice that they made so long ago, leaving their loved ones to fight for freedom,” she said.
She said she was overwhelmed when she learned her work had won at the provincial level.
“When I heard that my drawing had gone on to provincials I was happy. Then when I got the call that it won at Provincials, I was blown away,” she said. “I have won multiple times in this contest before, but none of them have made it to win on a provincial level. Now that it’s moving on to nationals I really don’t know what to think. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.”
Having her artwork recognized by the Legion is meaningful, she added.
“When the Legion recognizes my art, it feels kind of special — like somebody cares,” she said.
If she could leave readers with one message, it would be simple.
“Remember their sacrifice,” she said. “They left their families and fought. Some didn’t come back. Some came back, but they were not the same. The war changed them.”
Provincial winners will be formally recognized later this month.
