Eastview Students Produce Interior Bus Panels for MVTA

Burnsville, Minn. - (December 5, 2000) - Juniors and seniors participating in the Advanced MultiMedia Class at Eastview High School have produced interior panels currently on display in select Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) buses. The panels present themes involving school activities, community service and transit.

Tyler Krebs, Video and Multimedia Specialist at Eastview, had students each design two panels using PhotoShop software as part of their work to develop a digital portfolio. The MVTA then had the panels printed and dry mounted by Cornerstone Copy Center, for display on the interior of MVTA buses. Using a variety of graphics and images, the class first produced a series of panels promoting school activities, then moved to communityservice or "try transit" themes.

This project is part of a strategic partnership between the MVTA and area schools. Initially, the MVTA worked with Burnsville High School students, and continues to do so. Earlier this year, the MVTA was able to secure funding from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and Dakota County School-to-Work Partnerships to expand the program to School District 196 students. It is hoped that students from Apple Valley High School will also participate in the program.

All of the panels are currently on display on Route 442, 77V and 48A/G buses. As part of the project, the MVTA has selected several "winning" entries that will be produced for mass display inside all of the 100 buses in the MVTA fleet. One panel will be produced for display on the exterior of several MVTA buses. In addition to having the winning panels mass-produced, students received a certificate and a $25 gift certificate to an area restaurant. Finalists for the winning entries received an

"honorable mention" certificate.

Winning entries were as follows:

School Theme:
Student TV Show (The Flash)Joe Hixson, 12th Grade

Community Service/Try Transit Theme:
Like Clockwork, MVTA Buses Are On Time Dan Voshell, 12th Grade
Where Do You Want To Go? Ryan Smolarek, 12th Grade
Gas Costs a Lot Paul Stanley, 11th Grade

Honorable Mention certificates were presented to:
School Theme:
Boys Basketball Michael Parker, 12th Grade
Speech Team T.J. Souphaphone, 12th Grade
Boys Baseball Aaron Stender, 12th Grade
Girls Softball Tim Jensen, 12th Grade
Girls Soccer Patrick Beaver, 12th Grade
EVHS Theatre Race Vidman, 12th Grade
Girls Volleyball Richie Hetland, 12th Grade

Community Service/Try Transit Theme:
Relax Brad Kolle, 12th Grade
Minnesota Zoo Justin Lueken, 12th Grade
Thank You for Riding the Bus Joe Hixson, 12th Grade
It’s a Good Thing You’re Riding the Bus T.J. Souphaphone, 12th
Grade
Volunteer for Special Olympics Ryan Thompson, 12th Grade

MVTA is the public transportation provider for the businesses and residents
of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Prior Lake, Rosemount and Savage.