The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) announced Minakshi Chilagani, a student at River Trail Middle School in Georgia, as the overall national winner of the 2024-2025 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest.
A panel of judges representing the three national student transportation associations, the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), and the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) — evaluated entries based on safety impact, originality, artistic quality, and visual effectiveness.
Minakshi’s poster stood out among submissions from multiple states across five divisions. As the national winner, her artwork will be featured during National School Bus Safety Week from October 20–24, 2025.
Minakshi’s artwork was selected for best capturing this year’s theme, “Safety First – Safety Always,” through a design that highlights essential school bus safety practices both on and around the bus.
Her winning poster communicates the importance of situational awareness and responsible behavior — core components of student transportation safety. From illustrating the “most dangerous danger zone” around the school bus to showing students lining up, listening to the driver, and staying seated quietly, the poster combines visual storytelling with safety tips in a way that is easy for students to understand and remember. The poster suggests a guardian’s perspective — perhaps watching from a distance — as well as those of the driver and students, illustrating that safety is a collective effort.
Although Chilagani’s poster was awarded the overall national winner, each entry was evaluated within its own division. The following students were also recognized as divisional winners of the 2024–2025 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest:
Division #1 (Grades K-2)
1st Place: Skylar Roque, Smyrna Elementary School (Smryna, GA)
2nd Place: Angelina Mumford, Robert’s Elementary School (Wayne, PA)
3rd Place: Martin Martinez, Passaic Gifted and Talented Academy (Passaic, NJ)
Division #2 (Grades 3-5)
1st Place: Harshini Lingam Muhilan, Unity Charter School (Morristown, NJ)
2nd Place: Annabel Raine Johnson, Mabscott Elementary (Mabscott, WV)
3rd Place: Maria Shinto, Madison Elementary (Blaine, MN)
Division #3 (Grades 6-8)
1st Place (and overall winner): Minakshi Chilagani, River Trail Middle School (Johns Creek, GA)
2nd Place: Keonhee (Daniel) Han, Independence Middle School (Indepdence, KS)
3rd Place: Aarna Padri, Millburn Middle School (Short Hills, NJ)
The 2025-26 poster contest theme will be: Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes; entries may be submitted between November 2, 2025-April 3, 2026. Complete guidelines and submission can be found on NAPT's website.
