INDIANA – The Indiana State Police is proud to partner again in 2025 with the U.S. Department of Justice in promoting the National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest.
President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25th National Missing Children’s Day in 1983. This day is dedicated to encouraging parents, guardians, caregivers, and all concerned individuals with the well-being of children to make child safety a priority.
It serves as a reminder to continue our efforts to reunite missing children with their families and loved ones. It also serves as an occasion to honor those dedicated to this noble cause. The National Missing Children’s Poster Contest allows schools, law enforcement, and parents/guardians to discuss and promote child safety.
The state winner will receive a national award certificate from the U.S. Department of Justice, and their poster will be selected for the national judging competition. The national winner and his/her parents, teacher, and state manager will be invited to Washington, D.C., to participate in the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Missing Children’s Day ceremony.
Some important facts about the contest:
- There is NO LIMIT on the number of posters a school can submit.
- Only one (1) poster per student is allowed for submission.
- Students who submit posters MUST be in the 5th grade.
- Artwork should reflect the theme “Bringing Our Missing Children Home”. This phrase MUST appear somewhere on the poster.
- The artwork may depict the theme through one or a combination of illustrations. It can be created using acrylics, watercolor, pencils, charcoal, magic markers, spray paint, crayons, and pastels. Digitally produced images, collages, cut-outs, and stamping WILL NOT be eligible for consideration.
- The finished poster MUST measure 8 ½ x 14 inches.
- The poster must be submitted with a COMPLETED application, including a description and a brief biography of the artist.
- All poster contest rules can be found here: 2025 Indiana Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest Packet
- The deadline for submissions from participating organizations to be received by Sergeant Seth Tumey is February 21, 2025.
Submissions are to be sent to:
Indiana State Police Museum
Attn: Sergeant Seth Tumey
8660 E. 21st Street Indianapolis, IN 46219
If a child goes missing, contact your local police department or dial 911. It is also a good idea to keep an updated picture, cell phone image, and a DNA sample from your child. For more safety and prevention tips, please visit: http://www.in.gov/amberalert/2335.htm
We wish all participants good luck in the competition and to have fun creating the posters!
