1 Line safety poster contest: We have our winners!

Passengers wait aboard a crowded platform along the Lynnwood Link extension. — Media Caption

"Stay behind the yellow line" is one of Sound Transit's key safety messages.

Elementary, middle, and high school students put their art skills to the test for a chance to see their artwork featured onboard the 1 Line and win cash prizes.

By Brian Davis

November 15, 2024

Local students showcased their art skills in the 1 Line Rail Safety Poster Contest, a partnership with Sound Transit, Sno-Isle Libraries, and the Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI).

The posters aim to teach the community to stay safe around trains in Snohomish County. The contest coincided with the August Lynnwood Link Extension opening, bringing the 1 Line north.

Sno-Isle Libraries serves the 800,000+ residents of Snohomish and Island counties. This public library system operates 23 library branches. Their goal is for everyone in the community to connected with the library and provide equitable access to knowledge and resources.

Rosario Reyes, a first-generation immigrant from Peru, established in 1998 the Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) in Snohomish County. The institute helps Spanish-speaking Latino immigrants and low-income individuals achieve personal and financial success. Its goal is to support them in pursuing their dreams and becoming leaders in their community.

Students from kindergarten through 12th grade sent in submissions, which stressed Sound Transit’s key safety messages:

Look both ways
Take crosswalks, not shortcuts
Headphones off, screens down
Stay behind the yellow line
Bike smart, ride safe

K-5 winners

First place: Yousef

Drawings made by an elementary school student show safe practices, including "don't run" and "don't cross the yellow line."

Second place: Sophia

Drawings made by an elementary school student show safe practices, including "look where you're going instead of being on your phone."

“I made this poster because some people get injured or die because they don’t know these safety rules. Everyone should be aware of their surroundings and not be on their phones. Throwing trash onto the track is dangerous too because there can be fires.

Third place: Juan

A drawing of a dog with an x showing the dog on the yellow line, and a check mark with the dog behind the yellow line.

Grades 6-8 winners

First place: Maddie

A colorful poster with text that reads "stop, look, are you being safe?"

Second place: Derek

A poster with a drawing of a Link train outlines key safety messages.

“When taking light rail, safety is a priority. This poster shows the essentials of taking light rail or other public transportation such as buses or streetcars."

Third place: Mussie

A poster shows how a person can wear their headphones safely around trains and hear them coming.

“To be safe around Light Rails stay behind yellow line keep all headphones and screens off to hear and see the oncoming train. And don't ever cross in front of a train you will get seriously hurt. To be safe inside a Light Rail don't stand unless there are no more seats. If there are no more seats hold on to one of the straps of leather or a metal bar and hold on the Light Rail is fast!!!”