Winners of the 2024 Buffalo News Editorial Cartoon Contest

Cartoons can be a powerful educational tool and a rich form of expression. They promote critical thinking on complex issues and provide a gateway to current affairs and civic engagement. Perhaps most importantly, cartoons help shine a light on the importance of free speech and can give a voice to the younger generation of Western New Yorkers.

Here are the winning designs:

First place: Bibi Wokas – City Honors School

Second place: Lincoln Nayor – Heim Middle School

Third place: Michael Farley – St. Benedict School

Honorable Mention: Ella Dunlop – Heim Middle School

First Place: Grace Lysek – Sweet Home Middle School, Grade 8

Second place: Simone Darby – Casey Middle School, 8th grade

Third Place: Abigail Lewis – Alden Middle School, 8th grade

Honorable Mention: Amelia Sperrazzo – Mill Middle School, 7th grade

Division III, Grades 9-12:

First Place: Will Blum – Lancaster Secondary School, Grade 11

Second Place: Henry Bartholomew – Williamsville East High School, Grade 10

Third Place: Katherine Lasky – Lancaster Secondary School, Grade 11

Honorable Mention: Kolya Santillo – Lancaster Secondary School, Grade 11

Local division (all levels):

First Place: Clara Bartholomew – Williamsville East High School, Grade 10

Second place: Alan Ma – Mill Middle School, 7th grade

Third Place: Grace Gabel – North Tonawanda Middle School, 7th grade

Honorable Mention: Grace Lysek – Sweet Home Middle School, 8th grade

TR Informed Citizens Division (all levels):

First Place: Declan Goldhawk – Erie 1 BOCES Calspan, Grade 11

Second Place: Michael Dagostino – Mill Middle School, 7th grade

Third place: Joshua Morgante – St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, Grade 12

Honorable Mention: Isabelle Simonson – Amherst Central High School, Grade 10