Queens Schools Sweep DOT's 'We're Walking Here' Competition

QUEENS, NY -- Several Queens schools flexed their creative muscles this year in the NYC Department of Transportation's citywide student challenge to create the best PSA that promotes walking and street safety.

It paid off.

The borough's schools swept the competition, beating out more than 100 other schools for all six awards of the 2018 "We're Walking Here" contest, the DOT announced Thursday.

“Queens is so proud of our students who produced such compelling PSAs that prioritize safety and healthy active lifestyle choices for all New Yorkers,” said Borough President Melinda Katz.

The competition, part of the DOT's "Vision Zero" initiative to end traffic deaths, is the culmination of a grade-specific lesson plan for NYC schools. Students track the number of blocks they walk in two weeks and learn about their responsibilities to contribute to street safety, according to the DOT.

For their final project, students submit a public service announcement in the form of a video or poster that encourages walking and other active lifestyle choices they've learned about.

Astoria's Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School took home first place in the video category with their short film depicting the grave consequences for one child after his dad crashes the car while texting and driving.

P.S. 94 David D. Porter School in Little Neck snagged second place in the category for their music video encouraging kids to walk to school. J.H.S. 2010 Elizabeth Blackwell Middle School in Ozone Park won third place for "Who's Fault Is It Anyway?" a twist on the comedy series "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" with street safety trivia.

“The creative power that went into the creation of these videos is truly something to be proud of," said New York City Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. "Walking and leading an active lifestyle is not only healthy, it’s a great way to enjoy our beautiful city."

In the Poster PSA Category, South Ozone Park's Virgil I. Grissom Middle School won first place for their poster, "Don't Die Sending A Reply: Don't Text And Drive." Nearby school Al-Ihsan Academy took second place for its poster reminding New Yorkers to look where they're walking and driving.

Corona's P.S. 16Q The Nancy DeBenedittis School came in third with their poster, "Don't Text When You Drive, Or Else."

"The students at P.S. 16 created a striking piece that highlights the importance of traffic laws, especially around our schools," said Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens). "Their message reaffirms our shared responsibility to keep pedestrians and students safe."

First-place winners got $1,000 grant from Safe Streets Fund, a private-public partnership that aims to promote safer streets, the DOT said. Second-place schools received $500 and third-place schools $250.

Schools can pre-register for next year's "We're Walking Here" here.

(Lead image: The poster from Virgil I. Grissom Middle School that won first place in the DOT's 2018 "We're Walking Here" competition. Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation)