The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) announced the winners in the annual “Words on Wheels” competition. For the 14th consecutive year the MTA has collaborated with Baltimore City Public Schools and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) to celebrate poetry and art in transit.
This year’s “Words on Wheels” competition included hundreds of entries from students at Baltimore City Public Schools. Fourteen winners were selected and include students from the second grade to the eighth grade. The poems of these fourteen winners were paired with artwork created by students at MICA, and published as posters.
Ralign Wells, MTA Administrator and CEO, said, “MTA helps thousands of students get to and from school in and around Baltimore City. The 'Words on Wheels' program helps to underscore MTA’s commitment to those students, and at the same time, offers them a highly visible way to express themselves. We’re proud to offer this service to our MTA customers. The winning poems are always thought-provoking, and provide for a richer transit experience.”
The posters will begin appearing on Local Buses next week and remain up for the public to enjoy for the rest of the year. Copies of the winning poems and artwork can be viewed here.
This year’s winners are:
- Marjorie Cedeno-Leon (3rd grade), Holabird Academy, “Wisteria” Artist: Alix Citrin
- Isagani Inocentes (8th grade), The Midtown Academy, “Angels to Trust” Artist: Seo Kim
- Julie Lopez (3rd grade), Holabird Academy, “Green” Artist: Lisk Feng
- Kia Davis (8th grade), The Midtown Academy “A Heart” Artist: Sarah Jacoby
- DeShaun Dorsey (3rd grade), Holabird Academy, “Black” Artist: Eduardo Corral
- Ava Bloom (8th grade), The Mount Washington School, “Love” Artist: Seo Kim
- Taj Logan (6th grade), KIPP: Ujima Village Academy, “Survive” Artist: Lisk Feng
- Jacob Sherber (4th grade), The Mount Washington School, “Put on Your Jersey” Artist: Stacey Montebello
- Joshua Veale (6th grade), KIPP: Ujima Village Academy, “Yet to Come” Artist: Joshua Heinsz
- Ann Bethell (3rd grade), Baltimore Montessori Public Charter, “I Used To, But Now” Artist: Valreia Molinari
- Yasmine Abdulla (6th grade), KIPP: Ujima Village Academy, “Believe You Can” Artist: Lynn Chen
- Uma Riberio (3rd grade), Baltimore Montessori Public Charter, “High Drive” Artist: Alex Citrin
- Eryn Grier (8th grade), The Midtown Academy, “What is Love?” Artist: Mai Ly Degnan
- Ruth Brodsky (2nd grade), Baltimore Montessori Public Charter, “Untitled” Artist: Diyou Wu
