3 Siblings Honored for School Bus Safety Posters

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Three artistic siblings here have been recognized for their skills in promoting school bus safety through posters.

Anita Krasteva and her brothers Petar and Angel Krastev were among the students across North Carolina who entered the state’s 2016 school bus safety poster competition, which tied in to the National School Bus Safety Week poster contest.

The 2016 poster contest theme was “#Stop On Red!”, highlighting the need for motorists to stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students.

The judging for the North Carolina competition took place at the North Carolina Pupil Transportation Association conference in Asheville in July. Anita Krasteva finished first for grades 3 to 5, and Petar and Angel Krastev finished first and third, respectively, for grades 6 to 8.

“Each of these students is to be commended for helping remind all motorists to be careful when encountering a stopped school bus,” said Derek Graham, state pupil transportation director for North Carolina, in congratulating the winners of the state competition.

Anita’s and Petar’s posters advanced to the 2016 National School Bus Safety Week poster contest, which was judged at the National Association for Pupil Transportation Summit in Kansas City, Missouri, in November. Anita’s entry took first place for grades 3 to 5 in the national contest.

This school year, the three Krastev siblings all attend Jamestown Middle School in Greensboro. State director Graham and Jeff Harris, director of transportation for Guilford County Schools, visited the school to honor Anita, Petar, and Angel.

The siblings each received a certificate that features their artwork. As state winners, Anita and Petar also earned a jigsaw puzzle of their artwork, and Anita won a $250 check as a national division winner.

Graham said that the whole Krastev family was very supportive and proud of the siblings’ efforts.

“I had a chance to chat with the grandparents, who I learned are from Bulgaria, before the presentation,” Graham said. “Afterwards, I asked the kids — the entire family, really — where they had gotten their artistic talent. The whole family turned and pointed to Grandma!”

According to administrators at Jamestown Middle School, the Krastev siblings were “beaming” the rest of the day.