Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 16, 2003

This week at Metro

Poster contest winners to be announced at areception on Friday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m.

Metro has selected the finalists in the Annual Student Poster Contest with the theme, "Metro 2020: Vision of the Future Metrobus and Metrorail." The transit agency will announce the winners of this contest, including the Poster of the Year winner, at a reception for the student artists and their parents and teachers on Friday, May 16, 6:30 p.m., at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, NW. " This awards ceremony represents the opportunity to publicly recognize students for their creativity, and the chance for parents, teachers, and the community to applaud youngsters for their artistic accomplishments," noted Randy Howes, coordinator of the yearly contest and awards ceremony. " The ceremony offers an opportunity for the natural enthusiasm of children to bubble forth as they receive their awards." The finalists receive their recognition as their poster is displayed on a large screen for the audience to view their talented depictions. An emcee explains the posters" subject matter as finalists receive their framed awards and prizes, amid the flash bulbs popping from the parents" and teachers" cameras. A total of 402 entries from public, private, parochial, charter, and home-schooled students, grades K through 12, had been received by the contest deadline of April 29. The following week, judges viewed and evaluated the colorful, eye-catching posters on display in the Board Meeting Room. In addition to Camille Lewis, Miss Maryland 2002, who will also serve as an emcee to announce award winners the night of the ceremony, the judges this year were Ronald Edwards, former defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals; Carol Erion, Director, Art Department, Arlington County Public Schools; Holly Morris, Fox Five news personality; and Barbara Settle, Account Executive, Viacom Outdoor.The Metro judging panel that selected the Poster of the Year included Phil Portlock, Photographer, Creative Services; Debra Johnson, Director, Project Communications; Eugene Warren, Graphic Artist, Plant Maintenance; Ray Feldmann, Director, Media Relations; and Cindy Gannaway, Supervisor, Training.First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia in the following categories in each jurisdiction: primary (grades K-3); elementary (grades 4-6); junior high (grades 7-9); and senior high (grades 10-12). Four grand prizes will be awarded, one each for the primary, elementary, junior, and senior high school categories. And one winning entry will be named the Poster of the Year, with this poster showcased on Metrobuses, in Metrorail stations, and on the Metro Web site, www.metroopensdoors.com.Metro Supports Scavenger Hunt as Part of the New City Museum’s Opening CelebrationIn partnership with Metro, the New City Museum is sponsoring a Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as part of its grand opening celebration events this weekend. Teams of friends, co-workers, families, clubs, or community groups are encouraged to participate in this fun activity. Using Metro as their means of transportation, scavenger hunt teams will begin their journey at the City Museum on Mt. Vernon Place, NW, near the Mt. Vernon Place/7th Street-Convention Center Metrorail station.The first 300 participants in the Scavenger Hunt will receive a free Metrorail One Day Pass, which provides a day of unlimited travel. The museum will provide gift bags and discounts on tickets to soccer games. Utilizing a " passport" with destination clues provided by the City Museum, participants will travel through Washington by Metro, discovering historical and cultural destinations and fun facts about Washington, D.C., history along the way. The scavenger hunt will conclude at RFK Stadium, adjacent to the Stadium-Armory Metrorail station, in time for a Washington Freedom-D.C. United Soccer double header.Scavenger Hunt teams earn points by uncovering the answers to questions for each destination, and prizes are awarded to teams with the most points. Teams will win in the categories of City Slickers (community, corporate, and friends groups); Explorers (groups in which an adult must be present with children 12 and under ), and Adventurers (senior citizens). In addition to the Scavenger Hunt, the City Museum will hold an Open House on Sunday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. With free admission, the Open House will feature exhibits and a multimedia show, music and dance entertainment, Spanish language tours, and activities for visitors of all ages.For more information on museum activities, contact Ciaran Clayton at 202-887-0500, ext. 26, or Pamela Woolford at 202-383-1830. For more information on riding Metro, call 202-637-7000 (TTY 202-638-3780) or log on to Metro’s Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com. Upcoming Events Accessible by Metro∙ May 17, 2003, 23rd Annual DC Chili Championship Cook-Off on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between 9tth and 14th streets. Metrobus riders should add more time to their travel in that area.∙ May 17-18, 2003, Joint Service Open House Celebration, Andrews Air Force Base, with free Metrobus shuttle service from the Branch Avenue Metro station and from Fed-Ex Field.∙ June 7, 2003, the Komen National Race for the Cure, with Metro entering a team and providing safe and secure transportation for race volunteers, participants, and spectators.∙ June 13-15, the22nd Annual Alexandria Waterfront Festival, with free shuttle service from the Eisenhower Avenue and King Street Metrorail stations every 20 minutes; if attendees show a Metro farecard or SmarTrip card, they will each receive $1 off the price of admission at the gates. ∙ July 8-12, 2003, 32nd Annual Conference of Minority Transportation Officials" National Meeting and Training Conference in Washington, DC; the conference will feature workshops, technical tours, and a youth symposium. Conference planners expect 1,000 attendees at the conference sponsored by Metro and the COMTO Washington, DC, chapter and co-hosted by the Maryland COMTO chapter. DC Mayor Anthony Williams is the Honorary conference Chair.Board Committee Meetings ScheduledOn Thursday, May 22, 2003, the Operations Committee will convene at 9:00 a.m. followed by the Safety Committee meeting, both in the Meeting Room adjacent to the lobby at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, NW. To hear a recording about upcoming meetings, date and time changes for meetings, or the results of the last meeting, call 202-962-1055. New: To hear quotes by Metro experts, call MetroVoices, 202-962-2007.

News release issued on May 16, 2003.