How many school age children do you know who enjoy drawing? How many school age children do you know who enjoy getting money? AAA is inviting students (grades kindergarten through senior high) to participate in the 64th annual Poster Program and giving them a chance to do both.
"This campaign has always been successful. It is a great way to promote traffic safety and get kids involved, learning and educating others," said Stephanie Milani, AAA East Tennessee public affairs specialist. "I'm surprised by the student's ability to clearly demonstrate traffic safety concepts."
Each grade classification is given a different theme- something that is pertinent to them. For example, kindergarten, first and second grade students are asked to illustrate proper use of booster seats or night time visibility while students in grades 3-5 will create a poster reflecting proper helmet use or correct interaction with motorists. Junior High and Senior High students will illustrate the dangers of using a cell phone or changing the radio/CD while driving, the dangers of distracting the driver, alcohol awareness, distracted driving or aggressive driving/ speeding.
"The poster contest uses themes the students can relate to and hopefully, it teaches them to think about their actions," said Milani. "We have many teachers who make the poster contest a requirement for their students. The monetary awards peak the students' interests as well."
Regional awards will be given for first, second and third places. The grand awards include a $2,000 Visa Gift Check to senior high entries in PSA, hand drawn poster and digitally enhanced graphic arts poster categories respectively. Three grand awards will go to grades Kindergarten through 8th for hand drawn posters in the amount of $1,000. First, second and third place awards will be given to top entrants in each of the four grade-level divisions for each of the four designated regions. First-place entrants will receive a $300 Visa Gift Check, $200 Visa Gift Checks will be awarded to second-place entrants and third-place winners will receive $100 Visa Gift Checks.
The posters must be original art work, supervised by an instructor and can not include the AAA logo. AAA East Tennessee should receive entries by Feb. 1, 2008 to be considered. Only the following counties are eligible for consideration from AAA East Tennessee (other counties can send their entries to the AAA office in their area): Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union and Washington. For full details and judging criteria visit http://www.aaaet.com/readweb.asp?wid=3162.
AAA East Tennessee promotes traffic safety throughout the year with special campaigns including School's Open Drive Carefully, Safety Patrol programs, lobbying efforts, teen and mature driver improvement programs and more. With offices located in Knoxville, Maryville, Johnson City and Kingsport, AAA offers insurance, travel and financial services to members and other customers. Visit AAA.com for more information.
