New World School of the Arts high school is pleased to announce the successful completion of a year-long project by a group of talented visual arts students. During their 9th grade, these students collaborated with the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) to create characters intended to serve as “safety influencers”, to promote safety throughout Miami-Dade County. Guided by faculty member, Ray Parris, the students operated as a professional design firm, with the TPO as their client, receiving essential feedback on their drafts to ensure that the final designs – including the primary character Mobility Guardian – effectively addressed the community’s needs.
“The dedication and creative vision of these current 10th-grade students have already received high-level public recognition,” explained Dr. Contessa S. Bryant, NWSA high school principal. “The official debut of the characters, including Mobility Maven and Mobility Maverick, who join Mobility Guardian, took place at the Florida Department of Transportation Forum in October. Following this successful unveiling, the TPO has already produced the first safety video using the students’ designs, with future plans for coloring books and commercials set to launch. In addition, the winning character designs have already been deployed on the TPO website. This project demonstrates the powerful role art can play in public service and community safety.”
In recognition of their dedication, the students received formal acknowledgment from the Miami-Dade County School Board in November, when School Board Member Roberto Alonso presented a proclamation celebrating their innovative efforts in enhancing the county’s transportation safety campaign. This distinguished recognition celebrates Audrey Gonzalez, Noah Caballero, Matthew Corona, Christopher Brizuela, Hanniel Botella, Veronica Baute, Alyssa Nevares, Helen Morejon, Nathalie Munoz, Natalie Suarez, Nataly Vega, Leia Gonzalez, and Valentina Rodriguez for transforming a classroom project into a county-wide effort that will help make streets in Miami-Dade safer for everyone.
