Zippel students honored for posters

The winner of the 2007 Backseat Driver poster contest, sponsored by the Maine Department of Transportation as a way to promote work zone safety, is Holy Cross student Andrew Volent, a fourth-grader from South Portland.
    Volent was one of seven regional finalists from around the state who took part in the contest, held each year to mark the beginning of National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week. Volent’s poster features the slogan “Go Slow or Don’t Go” and will be included in the DOT’s 2008 Safety Calendar; designs by other finalists from around the state will also be incorporated into the calendar.
Each year, approximately 750 work zone-related crashes occur in Maine, with most being caused due to speeding or driver inattention. The contest is designed to teach the state’s future drivers about the importance of safe and attentive driving. The program receives a great deal of support from fourth grade teachers and students throughout Maine. This year, over 500 students took part in the contest.
MaineDOT Commissioner David Cole was joined by Maine Division Administrator Jonathan McDade of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Maine State Police Lieutenant Don Pomelow and South Portland Mayor Claude Morgan at the event held April 2 at an assembly at Volent’s school.
This year’s winning entrant and his entire class was awarded a check for $1,200. Other regional finalists were awarded $200 each. Other 2007 Backseat Driver regional finalists included: Hall-Dale Elementary, Hallowell; Sabattus Central School, Sabattus; Ella P. Burr School, Lincoln; Palermo School, Palermo; Mary Hurd School, North Berwick; and Zippel Elementary School, Presque Isle.
This isn’t the first time an Aroostook County school has made the final cut. At least two winning posters since 2001 have been created by area fourth-graders. Zippel Elementary students won top honors for their efforts in 2001. And last year’s winning entry was created by students from Bridgewater Grammar School.
For more information on the program, visit www.mainebackseatdriver.com.