Every year the Missing and Exploited Children’s Program in conjunction with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) hold a poster contest for 5th 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 would like to announce the 2016 Kansas National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest winner as Lily Stivers from Hays, Kansas.

On April 11, 2016 Lily was invited to Topeka with (pictured below back row L to R), her 5^th grade teacher, Amy Kelly of O’Loughlin Elementary School, her parents, Tom and Taylor Stivers, (front row L to R with Lily in the middle) 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 parent 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 Governor Sam Brownback where she witnessed the Governor signing the Kansas proclamation signifying May 25^th, 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.

Lily’s winning poster

In the fall of 2016, the KBI will deliver a notification to all school districts in Kansas encouraging 5^th graders to participate in this annual contest which brings attention to missing children, not only in Kansas but throughout the United States and Territories.

*Please find the release and consent form signed by Tom Stivers.*

Mark Malick

Senior Special Agent/PIO

Kansas Bureau of Investigation