Making today's young people aware of other ways that are available for getting around, and that the car is not needed everyday to go everywhere every time, is very important to a high quality livable future in Delaware. To reach this goal, each year DART First State invites students to participate in its annual statewide poster contest and apply their artistic talents to transit related themes that illustrate how riding transit benefits our quality of life.

The statewide poster contest is open to public and private schools, as well as after-school programs. Students must be between the ages of 10 and 14 or Grades 4 through 8. The program is held from December, when the contest theme is publicly announced, to May when the chosen artists are recognized for their artistic efforts. DART First State judges the entries for originality, theme presentation, and artistic quality. First prize winners are chosen from each grade along with a Grand Prize winner each year, and receive awards from DART First State along with several prizes from its broadcast radio media business partners, WJBR-FM and Eagle 97.

In 2003, the Grand Prize was awarded to Alexandra Moreno, 8th grade student at The St. Anthony of Padua Grade School in Wilmington, for her colorful depiction of the contest theme "Fun Places to Go on Transit in Delaware." The Grand Prize-winning poster is displayed for thousands to see on DART First State buses, on the web at DartFirstState.com, and in Delaware Transit Corporation offices and other public buildings statewide.

Educators, art teachers, and student supervisors/mentors are encouraged to use the poster transit theme in curriculum and classroom work, and to exhibit all the contest poster entries throughout the school as an acknowledgement to the student artists. Posting the artwork educates all students about the benefits of public transit and how riding the bus or train, carpooling, or cycling reduces traffic congestion and air pollution.

By educating today's students about transportation options available to them as they grow into adulthood and become tomorrow's leaders, workers, and homemakers, we are investing in a better quality of life and a more livable Delaware.

2003 Winners

Grade 4: Alize Ray, East Side Charter School Teacher: Ms. Dellicompagni

Grade 5: Maxx Moss, Bayard Elementary School Teacher: Ms. Dooley

Grade 6: Timothy Williamson, George Reed Middle School Teacher: Mr. Edwards

Grade 7: Tiara Goode, St. Anthony of Padua Grade School Teacher: Ms. O'Donnell

Grade 8: Alexandra Moreno, Grand Prize Winner St. Anthony of Padua Grade School. Teacher: Ms. O'Donnell