What do a William & Mary football coach, Colonial Williamsburg graphic designer, and a sheriff’s office captain have in common? They’re all judges for the Take Action Against Distraction plate design contest.
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has announced the names of five community members who will judge the Hampton Roads division of the DMV’s license plate contest, according to a release from the DMV.
In the contest, Virginia high school students can show off their artistic eye by creating license plates that discourage distracted driving. The winner of the competition will receive $1,000 — and could possibly save lives at the same time.
The design competition encourages teens to be aware of the harm distracted driving can cause.
The DMV opened the contest in November, but only announced the judges this past week. The judges for the Hampton Roads district are:
- Anne Edwards, a highway safety advocate from Boost ‘Em in the Back
- Valerie Eppolito, a senior exhibits graphic designer at Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg
- Jimmye Laycock, head football coach for William and Mary
- Jordan Pascale, a reporter for the Virginian-Pilot
- Capt. David Shield from the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office
On Feb. 20, each district’s panel of judges will choose eight finalists from their area.
The final designs will then be open for a public online vote from Feb. 20 to March 20. The statewide winner will be announced in April and will take home the cash prize.
“All of the judges are respected members and leaders in their communities and offer a wealth of knowledge from a variety of fields, such as highway safety, education, art, athletics, media and journalism, philanthropy, and law enforcement,” Richard D. Holcomb, Virginia DMV commissioner, said.
Other districts will host different famous judges from Chris Long, a Philadelphia Eagles football player, in the Staunton District, to Joy Crump, a former contestant on the television show “Top Chef” in the Fairfax South District.
For more information on the Take Action Against Distraction License Plate Design Contest visit www.dmvNOW.com/vaplatecontest.
