Rockwall-Heath HS Student Wins National School Bus Safety Art Contest

Rockwall-Heath High School student Jamal M. has won first place in his division of the 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest from the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT).

Jamal’s artwork was selected from entries advancing through state-level competitions across the country following the 2025-2026 theme “Level Up.” In his division, Special Education Grades K-12, Jamal earned first place for the regional North Texas Association of Pupil Transportation (NTAPT), advanced to the state Texas Association of Pupil Transportation (TAPT) and earned first place, and advance to the national level where he also earned first place.

A panel of judges representing the three national student transportation associations — the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), and the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) evaluated entries based on safety impact, originality, artistic quality and visual effectiveness.

“Every one of these posters represents more than artistic talent. They represent students thinking about what school bus safety means to them and then sharing that message with the people around them,” said Molly McGee Hewitt, PhD, CAE, Executive Director & CEO of NAPT. “We congratulate all of this year’s national winners and we thank the teachers, transportation professionals, state associations, families and communities who create the opportunity for students to participate.”

The National School Bus Safety Poster Contest has long provided an opportunity for students to play an active role in school bus safety education. State contests help bring the safety conversation directly into schools and classrooms, while national recognition extends those messages across the student transportation community.

About the National School Bus Safety Poster Contest

The National School Bus Safety Poster Contest engages students in creating artwork that depicts school bus safety themes and encourages safe practices on and around the school bus. Students participate through local and state-level competitions, with qualifying entries advancing for national judging. Winning artwork helps promote safer school transportation and student awareness across North America.

About National School Bus Safety Week

Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week is an active public education program that brings together students, parents, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other partners to promote the importance of school bus safety.