Announcing the winners of the 2021-2022 Metra Safety Poster and Essay Contest!
At last, the news you've all been waiting for! It’s great to celebrate 15 years of educating students about railroad safety! We have missed seeing all the student’s artwork and essays as they create an image or write about the importance of safety near the railroad tracks. This year’s winners are great role models who took ownership of the contest’s goal to educate and create meaningful safety messages. You will find a gallery of this year's winners here. Please review them and then go here to select your favorite. The poster with the most votes will win a $250 gift card as this year's People's Choice Award. Voting is open until midnight May 31.
The Safety Poster and Essay Contest asks students to take on an advocacy role and communicate the importance of safety near the tracks. This year's theme: “Safety Is A Choice You Make” emphasizes the importance of being aware of your surroundings and personal safety when near railroad tracks, platforms, and crossings, which can be extremely dangerous.
One first-, second- and third-place winner has been selected from each grade, K through 12, for the poster contest and will be awarded the following prizes:
First Place: $500 gift card
Second Place: $250 gift card
Third Place: $100 gift card
Students were also able to submit an essay describing in 300 words or less why it’s important that “Safety Is a Choice You Make” when near railroad tracks, platforms, and crossings. One first-place prize is being awarded in each of the essay contest's three divisions: grades K-4, 5-8 and 9-12. One winner from each division will receive a $500 gift card.
In addition, winning designs will be featured in Metra’s safety calendar, website, weekend passes, and social media.
The contest is open to all students in grades K through 12 living or attending school in Metra’s six-county service area: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. If a student won first place in the 2019-2020 contest that student is NOT eligible to enter in the 2021-2022 contest. A new contest will be announced in September.
Please review the winning posters here and then go here to select your favorite to win the People's Choice Award. Voting is open until midnight May 30.