RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The dramatic image of a child whose parents have died in an accident involving drunken driving earned first place in the 12th Flying Training Wing Safety Office's first safety poster contest.
The poster, created by Javier Garcia, a graphic artist with 12th FTW Public Affairs/Multimedia, was one of nine entries in the contest, which coincided with Randolph's annual 101 Critical Days of Summer safety awareness campaign.
"The purpose of the contest was to get the safety message out for 101 Critical Days of Summer," said Tech. Sgt. Leo Timmons, 12th FTS ground safety NCO in charge. "By ending the contest early in the campaign, we're able to distribute the poster so the message can get out to people on the base."
The poster shows a young boy looking downcast while the image of his smiling parents is superimposed on a tombstone behind him. The message declares: "Sometimes ... the party isn't all that's left behind, when you drink and drive."
Mr. Garcia said he was looking at images on a Web site devoted to stock art when the photo of a little boy caught his attention.
"He looked so sad," he said. "I got the idea of what a child would look like after losing his family."
After adding a tombstone to the background, Mr. Garcia said the poster started coming together. He found an image of parents from a family portrait to add even more dramatic impact.
"That really drove the point home," he said. "The slogan flowed out after that."
Sergeant Timmons said the competition was close, with Mr. Garcia's entry earning 75 points, nine more than runner-up Tommy Brown's poster. Mr. Brown also works as a graphic artist with 12th FTW Public Affairs/Multimedia.
"Mr. Garcia's poster brings home the fact that not only does drinking and driving affect you, but the people around you as well," he said.
Sergeant Timmons said he was pleased with the number of entries.
"This was our first contest, but we're thinking about continuing it because we got great participation," he said. "The posters had to have a summer safety theme, and we received many different entries, from the importance of using sun block to a safety crossword puzzle. They were all very creative."
Sergeant Timmons said the safety office is creating a link on its Web site so people can access images of the posters that were submitted, print them and place them on bulletin boards or in other locations.
Mr. Garcia's effort is rewarded with a Randolph services coupon book that entitles him to a free Sunday brunch for four at the Parr O'Club, four coupons good for three free games of bowling with free shoe rental and two coupons good for two free lunches at the Parr O'Club or the Kendrick Club.
He said he was surprised that his poster took top honors.
"I liked it and was proud of how it turned out, but I didn't think it would win," Mr. Garcia said. "It tugged at my heartstrings. If it does that to someone else, and they think twice about drinking and driving, it's done its job."