VALPARAISO | To get the word out about the upcoming census, the Complete Count Committee for the 2010 census of Valparaiso teamed up with Ivy Tech to sponsor a poster contest. They are hoping it helps inspire people to participate in the census.

Students at Ivy Tech were encouraged to submit a poster that encourages the public to fill out the census form which will contain 10 questions.

Katherine Vance, of Chesterton, is the first place winner; Laura Morales, of Valparaiso, is second place winner and Josiah Sherrow, of Hobart, is third place winner.

Each received a monetary prize and were congratulated by Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas on Tuesday at the Ivy Tech campus.

"This is exciting because Katherine's design will be shown throughout the city," Costas said. "And this gives young people in our community a meaningful role in education and this is a great partnership with the city and Ivy Tech."

Vance said she created the poster to represent as many people and races as possible.

"I wanted the poster to be all inclusive," she said.

Winfred Bowen, who is on the census committee in Valparaiso, said the objective of the census is to get everyone counted in Valparaiso.

"Every year the federal government gives out $400 billion of community service funds and they are determined from the census," he said. "We need everyone to fill out the census so that we can get our fair share in Valparaiso. The funds help provide hospitals, roads, schools senior centers and other projects."

Dee Haklin, the vice chancellor at Ivy Tech, said they were extremely surprised by the students who participated.

"We had about 20 entries to choose from," she said. "And this poster will definitely help get the word out about the census."