A junior at Blacksburg High School is the winner of a state contest that challenged students to create a license plate design to emphasize the danger of distracted driving.
Kaya Windpainter, 17, received a winning prize of $1,000, which came courtesy of AAA, according to a Tuesday morning announcement from Gov. Ralph Northam’s office.
Windpainter’s design was originally for an assignment in her graphic imaging technology course. After handing in the project, her teacher suggested that she enter the work in the contest.
Set against a blue background, Windpainter drew a single blue eye overlooking a two-lane road. Below the spot for the license plate number, she wrote a message that says “Eyes on the Road.”
Windpainter was among eight finalists who each represented the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles distircts. Windpainter represented the Roanoke district.
Windpainter’s graphic imaging technology class entered seven submissions.
The winning design is scheduled to be available for drivers to purchase as a license plate sometime this summer.
Windpainter couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Thursday morning.
“Too many preventable injuries and fatalities result from distracted driving,” Northam said in a press release. “Kaya’s design concept brings awareness to the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of staying focused on the road ahead.”