Local students named among winners in 2026 School Bus Safety Poster Contest
Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of 2026 School Bus Safety, Driving Competitions The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) recognizes young artists along with school bus drivers who won the statewide 2026 School Bus Safety Poster Contest and Driver Safety competitions. The ten winners of the poster contest are from schools in Allegheny, Bucks, Centre, Jefferson, Monroe, and Northampton counties, while winners of the school bus driving competition are from Berks, Chester, and Lancaster counties. (Jon Ferreras)
By WPXI.com News Staff
Two local students were recognized as winners in the 2026 School Bus Safety Poster Contest.
Governor Josh Shapiro announced the winners on Tuesday.
Bilal Shayan from Bradford Woods Elementary School in Allegheny County won first place in the Kindergarten-Second Grade group. Bilal also placed second in his division at the national competition.
Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of 2026 School Bus Safety, Driving Competitions Bilal Shayan, 2026 School Bus Safety Poster Contest 1st place division 1 winner (middle) received his award by The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Dios Arroyo (left) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Corporal Zeina Black (right). (Jon Ferreras)
Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of 2026 School Bus Safety, Driving Competitions Bilal Shayan, 2026 School Bus Safety Poster Contest 1st place division 1 winner was recongized by The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) (Jon Ferreras)
Saieesh Kovelakuntla from Franklin Elementary School won second place in the Grades 3-5 group.
Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of 2026 School Bus Safety, Driving Competitions Saieesh Kovelakuntla, 2026 School Bus Safety Poster Contest 2nd place division 2 winner (middle) received his award by The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Dios Arroyo (left) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Corporal Zeina Black (right). (Jon Ferreras)
Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of 2026 School Bus Safety, Driving Competitions Saieesh Kovelakuntla, 2026 School Bus Safety Poster Contest 2nd place division 2 winner was recongized by The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) (Jon Ferreras)
The students were challenged with creating posters that stress the importance of school bus safety. This year’s theme was “Safe Rides – Everyday Heroes.”
The contest is held in conjunction with School Bus Safety Week, which runs from Oct. 19-23 in Pennsylvania.
“School Bus Safety Week gives everyone an opportunity to pause and realize just how much our own actions behind the wheel can affect innocent, young lives,” said PennDOT Director of Driver Licensing Dios Arroyo.
Nearly 50 bus drivers were also recognized for their work.