FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contest Winners Ages 7 to 17 Honored with Recognition and Region-Wide Audience

BALTIMORE, MD (April 22, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is highlighting the significant role public transit plays in shaping a sustainable future, with the unveiling of specially designed “Earth Day” buses. Two local buses have be adorned with original artwork by six young Maryland artists who competed, with other children across Maryland, in the agency’s first Earth Day Art Competition. The buses will travel throughout the Baltimore region to remind riders and the general public that taking transit is an easy, affordable and convenient way to “go green” every day.

“I am amazed by the creativity of these young artists and their work highlighting the importance of public transit to our environment,” said Jawauna Greene, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Strategy for the Maryland Department of Transportation. “Engaging the next generation in public transit is a big step forward in building a greener tomorrow.”

This year’s Earth Day buses feature artwork by the following young artists in Maryland:

• “Save Our Earth” by Maddie Bourdeau, 7, of Odenton
• “Next Stop: A Sunny Future” by Lydia Joy Greenwell, 7, of Millersville
• “Go Green” by Carina Araujo, 11, of Gaithersburg
• “Next Stop: Ecofriendliness” by Irina Lalicki,12, of Baltimore
• “Adventure” by Jadyn Lee, 16, of Baltimore
• “The Blooming Bus” by Nzinga Philbery, 17, of Bowie

“Public transit is critical to creating a more sustainable and resilient future,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “I’m grateful to the young artists whose creativity has transformed our Earth Day buses into a vision for the future.”

The unveiling ceremony took place at the Parks & People Foundation, steps away from Mondawmin Metro Station, one of the region’s busiest transit hubs with transfer points for 11 bus routes.
 

The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, and operates Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. The goal of the Maryland Transit Administration is to provide safe, efficient, reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on X @mtamaryland.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov

Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov

###