Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Every year, the Missing and Exploited Children’s Program, in conjunction with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, holds a poster contest for fifth-graders across the United States and United States territories.

This contest brings awareness of children who are missing and provides the opportunity to educate the most vulnerable age group on staying safe. The poster contest is first held on the state level, with the local winning entry competing on the national level representing Kansas.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation announced this week the 2016 Kansas National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest winner is Lily Stivers from Hays.

On April 11, Lily was invited to Topeka with her fifth-grade teacher Amy Kelly of O’Loughlin Elementary School, her parents, Tom and Taylor Stivers, and her siblings, Drew and Julianna Stivers.

Upon arrival at the KBI Headquarters, Lily was able to view her missing children poster submission framed for public view on the second floor, met Director Kirk Thompson and was given a tour of the facility.

Lily had this to say about the poster she created: “The hands reaching out are to show how friends and family want to reach out to the missing children. The rough moon shows how tough it is to not find your kid. It also reminds parents and family that we are all under the same moon. The stars represent the missing children.”

Lily and her guests were escorted to the Kansas State Capitol where Lily had the opportunity to meet Gov. Sam Brownback where she witnessed the governor signing the Kansas proclamation signifying May 25, 2016, as Missing Children’s Day.

Lily was thrilled to have the opportunity to tour the new KBI Forensic Laboratory located on Washburn University campus. She expressed her interest in science as well as computers and her desire to one day solve Cyber Crimes.

Lily completed her day in Topeka by meeting Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt at his office.

In the fall of 2016, the KBI will deliver a notification to all school districts in Kansas encouraging fifth-graders to participate in the annual contest.