AATA contest winner and class visit Michigan Capitol

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) recently escorted its environmental steward essay contest winner, Jalil Boston, his parents, teacher and classmates on a trip to the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing.

Jalil, son of Mr. and Mrs. Heath Boston of Ann Arbor, won the trip for his class by entering the winning essay in a contest held in conjunction with the introduction of its first 15 hybrid electric buses into fixed-route transit service.

The group toured the Capitol, visiting the Senate chambers, where the group was introduced, and a session of the Committee on the Great Lakes and the Environment, where Committee Chair Rebekah Warren presented Jalil with a framed State Seal signed by the Senators and Representatives from his local districts and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm.

The students, all 7th graders in teacher Teresa Schneider’s class at Slauson Middle School, rode to the Capitol in AATA’s first hybrid electric bus, decorated with an environmental design including an illustration of AATA’s environmental mascot, Scooter.

Michigan Senator Liz Brater (second from right, first row) greets students from Slauson Middle School in Ann Arbor, including AATA essay contest winner Jalil Boston (third from right); his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Heath Boston; teacher Teresa Schneider (at right); and AATA Manager of Community Relations Mary Stasiak (left).

Michigan State Representative Rebekah Warren (right foreground) presents a framed copy of the State Seal signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm and local Senators and Representatives to Jalil Boston, winner of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority environmental essay contest. Jalil shares his experience with classmates from Slauson Middle School.

For more information on the essay contest, finalists and Jalil's essay click here.

The latest information on AATA routes, schedules and detours is available at 734.996.0400 and on the AATA Routes and Schedules page.