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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2005

CONTACT: Columbia Transit 
(573) 874-7282

Columbia Transit/Columbia Values Diversity Celebration Poster Contest
2005, 'Harmony in Transit'
							
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - Look at the passengers riding a Columbia
Transit bus and you will see a cross-section of our community. People
whose roots lie in Africa, India, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the
Americas share seats on the way to diverse destinations. They speak
English, Spanish, Korean and Russian. Some walk with a cane; some ride
in wheelchairs. But all are valued equally on the bus.  
	Columbia Transit, in conjunction with the Columbia Values
Diversity Celebration, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2005
"Harmony in Transit" poster contest. First place went to Justin
Seabaugh, whose poster proclaimed "It's more than a bus ride; it's
a community." Second place winner Danyang Liu portrayed people from
all backgrounds riding a Columbia Transit bus. Third place went to Caleb
Neal for his pen and ink poster incorporating quotes from Martin Luther
King Jr. and Thomas Jefferson.  
	All three winners were students in Virginia Propp's Excel art
class at Gentry Middle School. The winning posters were displayed at the
Columbia Values Diversity Celebration Breakfast on Jan. 13. Forum 8 and
Hollywood Stadium 14 Theaters contributed movie passes to award the
contest winners.
	Participating Columbia Public Middle School students created
posters portraying Columbia Transit's diverse passengers riding the
bus as one harmonious community. All submissions, including the winning
posters, are on display on Columbia Transit buses.

"Columbia Transit has been thrilled for the opportunity to have
sponsored this poster contest," said Ken Koopmans, transportation
manager for Columbia Public Works. "Columbia Transit's ridership
truly is a microcosm of society, so it was a perfect opportunity. We
value each and every customer. We were very impressed with the level of
participation in this contest and the quality of the artwork. The
artwork was very creative and clearly indicates the participants have
ridden our buses and observed our riders. The artists put a lot thought
into their work and we'll be pleased to display their work."  
	Phil Steinhaus, manager of the city of Columbia Office of
Community Services, which coordinates the Columbia Values Diversity
Celebration, was also pleased at the opportunity the contest provided
students. "The poster contest is a wonderful addition to this year's
Columbia Values Diversity Celebration," said Steinhaus. "The student
art work provides another dimension to our community expression of the
value we all place on diversity that will be enjoyed for weeks to come.
Columbia Transit has provided students with a unique way to celebrate
diversity while sharing their talents with our whole community."

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