New Chicago City Sticker Design Winner Chosen

Chicago - City Clerk Miguel del Valle announced today that Lookman Muhammed, a junior at Lawrence Hall Youth Services, won the 15th annual city sticker design contest. The junior’s artwork will be seen on 1.3 million vehicle stickers beginning in June 2010. He also receives a $1,000 savings bond to help with his continuing education.

“This year’s contest theme, ‘Burnham’s Chicago,’ encouraged students to study the work of architect Daniel Burnham,” said Clerk del Valle. “I am proud of all the students who participated in the contest. Lookman’s winning design reminds Chicagoans of Daniel Burnham’s important contributions to the city.”

More than 300 students in grades 9 – 12, representing 39 Chicago high schools, entered the vehicle sticker design contest. A panel of honorary judges narrowed the entries to the top 10 designs. The public then voted online and at City Hall computer kiosks to choose the winning design. Nearly 17,500 votes were cast by the public to choose this year’s contest winner.

“I am excited to win this year’s contest. I wanted my sticker to remind people of the time when Daniel Burnham was an architect and all his work in the city,” said Muhammed. “I’d like to go to school at UIC and the savings bond will help me do that.”

Lawrence Hall art teacher Janice Gould noted that she uses the vehicle sticker art contest as a teaching tool in her classroom. “The art contest teaches students about timelines, research and composition. Lookman challenged himself to win the contest. He rose to that challenge and that is why all of us at Lawrence Hall are so proud of him.”

Second place winner Cooper Zajac, a sophomore at Lincoln Park High School, receives a $500 savings bond. Kevin Zaragoza, a junior at Prosser Career Academy, captured third place and receives a $250 savings bond.

The remaining art contest finalists each receive a $100 savings bond. They include: Jose Estrada, junior at Steinmetz Academic Centre; Tomas Tapia, Jr., junior at Marine Math & Science Academy; Gioia Marzullo, sophomore at Guerin College Prep; Fajiona Celepija, senior at Mather High School; Latasha Wilson, senior at Corliss High School; Diana Solorzano, junior Mather High School; and Michael Tonner, sophomore at St. Ignatius College Prep.

In addition, all finalists receive an honorary resolution at a January awards ceremony with City Clerk del Valle in City Hall.

This year’s contest is presented in partnership with the Chicago Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning, the Chicago Plan Commission and the Commission on Chicago Landmarks and supported by a City Council resolution sponsored by Alderman Burke.