Drawing Attention to Bus Safety Across the Nation

Howitt Middle School student Emma Yee earned third place nationally and first place in New York State in the 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest for her artwork illustrating student transportation safety. Completed during the 2025-2026 school year while Emma attended Woodward Parkway Elementary School, the submission earned her a $100 prize and state distinction before advancing to national competition.

The annual contest challenged participants to design original artwork centered on the theme "Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes" to promote safe habits on and around school buses. A panel of judges representing the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), and the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) evaluated entries based on safety impact, originality, artistic quality, and visual effectiveness.