HARRISBURG, PA — In a ceremony held at the State Museum of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police, along with advocates for school bus safety, gathered to recognize outstanding contributions from students and school bus drivers. The event highlighted the Shapiro Administration’s effort to enhance safety for students across the Commonwealth.
The ceremony honored ten students from kindergarten through eighth grade for their exemplary school bus safety posters, crafted under the theme “Driving Safety into the Future.” These young artists were awarded certificates and gifts by PennDOT Deputy Secretary Kara Templeton and Corporal Zeina Black from the Pennsylvania State Police. “By using their talent and creativity, these young artists help us share important safety messages through their creations,” Templeton remarked, emphasizing the role of art in promoting safety awareness.
The poster contest winners, selected from 822 entries statewide, showcased diverse artistic interpretations of safety themes. First-place winners included Akshay Subash from Franklin Elementary School in the kindergarten to grade 2 category, Lorelei Murphy from Shamokin Area Elementary in the grades 3-5 category, and Noemi Barretta from Southern Middle School in the grades 6-8 category. Daniel Vega from Southern Middle School was recognized in the special education category. These first-place entries will advance to a national competition later this month.
Simultaneously, the ceremony highlighted the achievements of school bus drivers recognized during the 45th Annual State School Bus Driver Safety Competition. Cheryl Vogelsang, Joanne Cowan, and Arlen Sanden, all from Chester County, were celebrated for their exceptional skills in the conventional bus category. Corporal Black commended their dedication, stating, “Bus drivers are on the front lines and in the public eye every day doing an extraordinary job by ensuring the safety of our children.”
In line with the celebration, the event marked the observance of School Bus Safety Week, proclaimed by Governor Shapiro to coincide with the federal initiative. This week serves as a call to action, reminding motorists of their responsibilities around school buses and raising awareness of the dangers posed by illegal passing. Operation Safe Stop, a collaborative effort involving local law enforcement, school districts, and transportation agencies, was highlighted as a key initiative aimed at reducing violations. In 2023, more than 500 convictions were recorded for breaching Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance.
The ceremony not only celebrated individual achievements but also reinforced the collective commitment to student safety. As Pennsylvania continues to prioritize safety measures, these initiatives and recognitions play a crucial role in fostering a safer environment for young commuters statewide.
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