DAPHNE, Ala. — At 6 p.m. on April 20 at the Daphne United Methodist Church, Community Life Center, elementary-school students will wait to learn who won in the Optimist Club’s art and poetry contest.

The Daphne club has selected 44 students who will be recognized at the 1st Be Kind to Animals Awards Ceremony. Optimists asked kids in the first through sixth grades to tell them through artwork and poetry, “What does it mean to Be Kind To Animals?” The contest aims to promote the teaching of humane education in schools; promote the works of animal shelters; and help children understand the bond between humans and animals.

The public is invited to join the students, parents and their teachers during a reception and exhibition to see how the kids responded.

The awards ceremony will be held in the Community Life Center at Daphne United Methodist Church, 2401 Main St., Daphne.

Laurie Kelly, coordinator with the Dogwood Trail Maids  — who just recently returned home from their visit to Washington D.C., to attend the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival — has confirmed the maids’ attendance at the ceremony. They will be on hand to greet guests entering the awards ceremony.

Maria Payne, Optimist and Girl Scout leader, will escort Brownie Troop No. 8483 to present the colors and lead the pledge at the ceremony.

Students from Bayside Academy, Christ the King, Daphne East Elementary, Daphne Elementary, and Daphne United Methodist Church will be recognized during the ceremony.

During the presentation awards will be given to the grade-level winners and honorable mentions with the grand-prize winners in the art and poetry category receiving a cash prize of $75. Grand prizes will also be awarded to the student’s teachers in the amount of $100 for the classroom.

The city of Daphne will recognize the Daphne Optimists for their initiative with the Be Kind To Animals effort, “to bring out the best in kids,” at the April 19 council meeting. A proclamation will be issued to the Optimist Club of Daphne at 6:30 p.m. Be Kind To Animals Week is slated for Sunday, May 2, through Saturday, May 8, in conjunction with American Humane Association's annual national celebration.