Long Islander Only Winner Of Statewide Kids Sticker Vaccine Contest

SEAFORD, NY — One Long Island youngster found a way to help other children feel more at ease with getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Needles can be an anxiety-inducing ordeal for anyone, especially young people.

Rowan Clancy, 10, a fifth-grader at Seaford Manor Elementary School, was influenced by her younger brother Rory, who is autistic.

"He kind of struggled, while I got the vaccine," Clancy said. "He started screaming, feeling uncomfortable."

So Clancy, who enjoys drawing, created a picture that would become a sticker for kids across the state who get the vaccine.

Her winning design features a symbol of the coronavirus getting a needle called "Hope," and simply "I'm Vaccinated" at the top.

Clancy used digital paint software on her iPad to bring the imagery to life.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's office announced nine winners of the children's sticker design contest, launching in November. Clancy is the only winner from Long Island.

Clancy's mother Laura Moakley said the winning stickers can be downloaded for mass distribution at doctor's offices and other facilities.

"It's really kind of cool what they did," Moakley said.

Hochul said more than 1.6 million children from ages 5-17 have been vaccinated and she urges parents and guardians keep up with all recommended doses.

"I feel happy that I make more kids feel comfortable," Clancy said.

Prior to any vaccines, Clancy and her family got COVID-19, keeping that in her mind as she took to drawing.

The process took her about a week from idea to finished product.

"I had to struggle at times thinking what to draw until it finally just popped into my mind,"