A sign of true leadership is finding ways to help those who cannot help themselves. Such is the case with Youth Leadership Selma-Dallas County Class XV and their project to help the Central Alabama Animal Shelter.

In an effort to raise much-needed funds and awareness of the shelter and its mission, the class organized an art competition with children throughout Dallas County.

“We had right at 100 entries,” Morgan Academy junior and Class XV member Andrew Swindle said. “We had a good time. It was great. This is really going to shed some light on the consistent needs the shelter has.”

Students from throughout the county were encouraged to participate, creating artwork focused on their pets or the pets of others. The proceeds raised went to support the animal shelter.

As for the winning artists, three in each age division, they received a prize package that included something special.

Each winner received prizes that did include a goldfish.

“We haven’t gotten them the goldfish yet, but we should get that done during the week,” Swindle said Saturday at the annual ArtsRevive StreetFest, the venue the group used to unveil the winners and the artwork.

As part of the leadership class’ curriculum, they were challenged to develop a project that would focus on a community need.

In announcing the art contest, class mentor Rachel Gomes said the class was drawn to the shelter and its needs.

“We voted on it and our hearts were led to those animals,” Gomes said in an earlier interview with the Times-Journal. “We all thought, as a group, that this would be the best project to help out.”

Swindle said his class is hoping to make this contest and the support of the animal shelter an annual event.

Winners in the kindergarten through third grade division were: Hope Holladay — first; Osagie Aghedo — second and Davis Fuller — third.

Winners in the fourth to sixth grade division were: Chambers McGilberry — first; Preethi Karnam — second and Bernard Walker — third.

Winners in the final group, the seventh grade and up category were: Skylar Walker — first; Orobosa Aghedo and Sarah Beth Serman — third.