When 13-year-old Evanston resident Sara Cochran went to a neighbor’s block party earlier this year, she noticed the lanterns glowing in the night. The image struck Cochran, a budding artist, so much that she decided to replicate the lantern in art.

Cochran, who attends Haven Middle School, is this year’s winner of the First Night Evanston festival’s annual Children’s Button Design contest.

All of the kids attending the New Year’s Eve celebration will wear Cochran’s button, which depicts a glowing lantern centered around the words of this year’s theme, “Light Up the Night.”

The contest was open to children who attended the Young Artist Program, held each summer for kids in sixth to eighth grade by the Cultural Arts Division of Evanston’s Recreation Department.

All of the young contestants came up with original designs using crayons, markers and colored pencils.

But Cochran’s design, judges said, stood out above the rest.

“First Night is really about the community and is a family-oriented event,” festival manager Corinne Pierog said. “We decided we wanted to let the children contribute.”

Sam’s Club, the contest’s official sponsor, presented Sara with a cake, The Art Store gave her a $25 gift certificate, and First Night awarded her four admission buttons for the festival.

“I was really proud when I found out that I had won,” Cochran said. “I had just been thinking, ‘I might win but I think I might not,’ so I was definitely excited.”

Judges also awarded honorable mentions to Evanston residents Katherine Reifler, 13, and Kena Worobec, 11. T

Reach Colin Schoenberger at [email protected].