Winning poster
April 17, 2013 By Bill Parry
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and local leaders honored a 7-year-old PS150 student yesterday for producing the school’s most effective poster that tells dog owners to clean up after their pooch.
In front of hundreds of her cheering PS 150 classmates, Sophia Aguirre was declared the winner of the “Curb Your Dog” poster contest, which about one-quarter of the school’s 1,250 students participated in.
The students were told to create a poster that warned dog owners that they would face a $250 fine if they didn’t pick up their dog’s poop.
Several weeks ago, the five best posters were selected by the school and put up for a vote. About 600 people voted online, with most viewing Aguirre’s as the best.
Aguirre’s winning poster has been mass produced and Van Bramer’s staff will post it in stores, restaurants and public places throughout the council district, including Sunnyside, Woodside, Maspeth, Long Island City and a portion of Astoria.
Sophia Aguirre (Photo: QueensPost)
Van Bramer also handed out certificates to the runners up: Mathew Sebastian, Angelina Yegoryan, Isabel Lourdes and Alex Cazan.
The aim of the exercise was to bring to the public’s attention—through children– the need for dog owners to clean up after their dogs.
“It’s an issue in every neighborhood in the district,” Van Bramer said, adding that “there are a few irresponsible owners that are a problem for us all.”
PS 150 Principal Carmen Parache said the children enjoyed the school project.“It turned into a great civics lesson,” Parache said, adding that “It proved to them that they’re a part of the community and that elected leaders listen to them.”
Van Bramer said “the more we can engage young people, the better for the neighborhood’s future.”
Aguirre’s proud mother Carmen Guttierrez thought the poster contest was a great idea. “They all learned that they can change things by getting involved.”
But Sophia Aguirre had her eye more focused on the prize. “I just like winning,” Sophia said, who went on to explain that she’s not interested in a future in art or politics. “I’m more interested in being a dog clothes’ designer.”
Photo: QueensPost
