Wakefield High Student Wins Decal Contest

January 24, 2012

Winner chosen by a countywide online vote
Photo of Pentagon Memorial chosen
Winning entry will be displayed on 155,000+ vehicles

Arlington, Va.—After six weeks of voting by Arlington County residents, Jeppe Callander’s photo of the Pentagon Memorial was chosen as the winning design in the 2012-13 Decal Design Competition.

Callander, a junior at Wakefield High School, was announced the winner of the eighth annual Decal Design Competition at today’s County Board meeting. His entry, “Silent Memories,” will appear on the windshields of more than 155,000 vehicles in Arlington County.

The competition’s 36 entries were narrowed down to four finalists by a panel of Arlington residents. The four finalists were put to a countywide vote, and “Silent Memories” was chosen as the winner. 1,987 votes were cast online and by mail.

“I think this year’s selection is most appropriate, given the ten-year anniversary of Sept. 11,” said Treasurer Frank O’Leary.

The other finalists:

Maya Giacobbe
Wakefield High School senior
“Fun at the Fair”
Sarah Peterson
Wakefield High School senior
“Reflection”
Amanda Smith
Wakefield High School junior
“Guard of Honor”

Background on Decals

Arlington began requiring local licensing of vehicles in 1949, which took the form of a metal tag attached to the license plate. The first windshield decal was issued in 1967, and decals were first produced with a color image in 2000. In 2002, residents were given the opportunity to vote on the decal image, and in 2005 the Treasurer's Office started the competition for high school students.

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.