Newtown Middle School eighth grade students Aliya Hafiz and Jack Wojtowicz have been selected as winners in the sixth to eighth grade category in a Connecticut School Transportation Association (COSTA) poster contest that was held in conjunction with National Bus Safety Week, recognized October 19 to 23.

The students were challenged to create posters to promote school bus safety, and this year’s theme was “Bully-Free Zone!” Three winners are announced for each of the three divisions of the contest.

Jack won third place and will receive $20 for his prize and Aliya won first place and will receive $50 for her poster. Aliya’s poster will also be sent on to the national level of the competition, which will afford her another opportunity to win additional recognition and prize money.

Aliya and Jack said they both heard about their accomplishment over the loudspeaker on Tuesday, October 20.

“I was really surprised,”Aliya said about hearing the announcement. Jack agreed.

For her poster Aliya said she “improvised,” while Jack said he found inspiration in the stop signs on buses to send a message to “stop” bullying.

The posters will be added to the school’s collection of student art and work for display.

“We’re really proud of their commitment to keeping our school safe through their artwork,” said NMS Principal Thomas Einhorn, adding that the artwork will reinforce messages that the school community supports.

Both students shared appreciation for their art teachers, Leigh Anne Coles and Kristen Ciarletto, for assigning the homework assignment to participate in the poster contest. Jack said without his art teacher he wouldn’t have been able “to get this far. So I want to thank them.”