| The first-place winners from the Southland are
Lieghann Baxa of Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School
for eighth grade and Shintaro Dee of Central Park
Elementary School for first grade.
The transit agency received more than 1,500 entries
from more than 100 schools throughout the region marking significant growth and momentum in Metra’s
already aggressive safety campaign efforts. As a result,
Metra was recently recognized by the Illinois Safety
Council as the recipient of this year’s Safety Public
Outreach Award.
“This year’s contest has been
an overwhelming success with
participation from every county in
the region,” said Philip A. Pagano,
Executive Director of Metra. “Not
only have the students shown
extraordinary talent and creativity
in their poster design, but most
importantly, they have also exhibited
tremendous leadership in articulating the importance of railroad safety to
their peers.” |
“We are so pleased that our judging panel took time
from their busy schedules to participate because they
recognize the importance of reinforcing safety rules to
help keep our children safe around trains,” Pagano said.“School administrators and teachers are to be commended
for also taking the time to engage students in discussions
on safety and making rail road rules part of their lesson
plans.”
First, second and third place winners were chosen
from each grade level. The first place winners received a
new laptop. The second and third place winners received
$250 and $100 gift cards respectively.
Due to the overwhelming success of the second
annual Metra Safety Poster Contest, Metra is currently in
the planning stages for next year’s contest. Information
regarding the 2008-2009 Safety Poster contest will be
announced later this fall at www.metracontest.com. |
Leighann Baxa (center), of Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, captured first place in the eighth
grade division of Metra’s second annual safety poster contest.