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RYE, N.Y. -- A group of 36 Rye High School students are raising awareness against texting while driving and walking by participating in the Rye YMCA sponsored "Distracted Driving/Walking Poster Contest."
The contest, which is in its second year, challenges students to create still posters that depict the hazards of distracted driving or walking.
Students enrolled in the two sections of Rye High School's Digital Photography course are participating in the contest. Photography teacher Andre Soto said the students were charged with a difficult task considering the time frame and diverse workload.
"The students had to take their own original photos, come up with the copy for the slogans," Soto said. "That's a lot to do in two weeks and they did an excellent job."
Soto said that although he tailored lessons to specifically help the students form consistent posters, it is ultimately each student's own creativity that will set them apart.
"First we studied the elements and principles of design and how they work commercially in one central image," Soto said. "Make it your own, make it original. That will make you stand out."
Rye High School junior Amber Altamura talked about her poster and the importance of raising awareness for distracted driving and walking.
"It's important for everyone who has a phone to know don't walk while being distracted because it can be fatal," Altamura said.
On Friday the students will anonymously select 10 posters, five from each class, as finalists. The 10 finalists will be brought in front of a panel of judges consisting of Rye Police Commissioner William Connors, Council member Suzanna Keith, Rye YMCA Executive Director Gregg Howells, Rye Record Editor and Publisher Robin Jovanovich and Department of Public Works Planner Charles Sutter.
The first, second and third place winners, which will be announced later this month, will receive cash prizes.
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