TUSTIN : Art Draws Attention to Child Abuse

For a girl who wants to be an artist, Kristin Miebach, 11, is off to an excellent start.

Last week, her artwork earned her the top prize in a contest co-sponsored by the Social Services Agency and the county Department of Education, which was aimed at increasing awareness of child abuse and the importance of child abuse prevention.

As a result, Kristin’s poster will be displayed at more than 3,000 local businesses, classrooms and libraries as well as in all county offices, said Ray Gallagher, contest chairman and supervisor of the Child Abuse Registry.

At Barbara Benson Elementary School, after being told of the $100 first prize she would receive, Kristin smiled, laughed and said: “That’s fine with me. It feels great to win.”

She said she would spend the money on a lamp, and probably some compact discs and tapes.

Kristin was one of 45 students from kindergarten through sixth grade who participated in the contest. Her artwork will also be reproduced on sweat shirts to publicize April as the annual Child Abuse Prevention Month, and be displayed at the 1993 Orange County Fair.

Her poster, made with colored markers, depicts a boy and girl playing soccer on a green field with a dog. Their mother stands near a picnic table, watching the children under a sunny, blue sky filled with flying birds. The words “Healthy Families Start with You”--the theme of this year’s contest--appear in the sky.

Wearing blue jeans, a white shirt and brown vest, Kristin said she was excited and surprised to win first place. “I didn’t think I would win because there were so many other (entries) and they were pretty good too.”

She said she hoped her poster would increase awareness about child abuse and also encourage families to communicate better. She said families “should do more activities together, like going to Disneyland or going to the park.”