Marian Catholic Student Wins Metra Poster Contest

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Aaliyah Merrick, a sophomore at Marian Catholic High School and Chicago Heights resident, has been recognized for her artwork in the 2019-2020 safety poster contest held by Metra.

The winners were selected through a three-round judging process with the finalists judged by a panel of 14 that included government officials, representatives from safety and education advocacy groups, business and community leaders, law enforcement, media and railroad professionals, Metra said in a news release.

Each year, Metra invites students in grades K-12 throughout its six-county service area to submit poster designs and essays highlighting the importance of railroad safety. Students created artwork and wrote essays around the theme "Obey the Signs: Look, Listen, Live."

Merrick won first place in the poster contest among high school sophomores.

"It's wonderful to see students participate in this contest and learn the importance of staying safe near the railroad," Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said. "The winners of this contest have done a great job of demonstrating it through artwork and essays."

First-place poster and essay contest winners receive an iPad, while second- and third-place poster contest winners receive $250 and $100 gift cards, respectively.

People's Choice Winner Sought

A People's Choice Award winner will also be selected via voting on Metra's website. Members of the public can select their favorite poster from this year's first place winners. Voting for People's Choice will be available online through midnight June 5.

The artist who garners the most votes will receive an additional $250 prize. The winner of the
People's Choice Award will be announced at the June 17 meeting of the Metra Board of Directors.

Source: Metra