Metra is proud to unveil its 2011-2012 safety campaign, "Lead the Way: Look, Listen and Live." For the sixth year, Metra invites students in grades K-12 throughout the six-county region it serves to submit poster designs and essay entries highlighting important railroad safety messages. The contest is open to all students in the six-county area where Metra trains are in service. The reason for the contest, put simply, is to raise public awareness of lifesaving railroad safety practices. More than 5,000 students submitted entries last year and the winning posters were selected by a panel of judges that included Metra board members and other special invitees.

One first-, second- and third-place winner will be selected in the poster contest for each grade along with one essay contest winner from each grade group - elementary, middle and high school. Individual prizes include IPads, $250 and $100 gift cards. Metra also recognizes the school that submits the most entries by awarding it a new computer compatible with its current system.

All contest rules and information available at http://www.MetraContest.com.

Winning posters and essays are featured in Metra's Safety Calendar, on the contest website, in station displays and on Metra tickets.

Three Latino students won first place in last year's contest.