Date:

April 7, 2005

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Kitty Miller, StarTran, 441-8469

Mayor Coleen J. Seng today presented awards to nine Lincoln students who were named winners in StarTran’s coloring contest. This is the first year for the contest. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade were asked to create artwork on “Why Public Transportation is Important.” The winning artwork will be displayed on StarTran buses.

“With gas prices on the rise, we know many people are considering StarTran as a great alternative for getting around town,” said Mayor Seng. “This contest is a great way to get our young people interested in the many benefits of public transportation and to encourage use at an early age. We hope the enthusiasm of these students will inspire their entire families to consider using our excellent bus system.”

Winners, who also received $25 gift certificates, were selected four age groups:

• kindergarten through second grade: Zach Sandin, first grade, Hill Elementary
• third and fourth grades: Will Ehrman, fourth grade, Zeman Elementary
• fifth and sixth grades: Sadye Evnen, Mia Keady, Phalin Strong and Hannah Vivier, all sixth graders at Irving Middle School
• seventh and eighth grades: Taylor Cobb, seventh grade, North Star Middle School; Yvonne Lin, seventh grade, Lux Middle School; Natasha Doty, eighth grade, Lux Middle School;

StarTran also has an annual water conservation busboard contest for students. The winners of that contest will be announced in May.