Chicago High School Freshman Wins Contest For New City Sticker
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A freshman student at an alternative school on the city's North Side has become the third student from that school to win the city's vehicle sticker design contest.
WBBM Newsradio's Mike Krauser met the artist, Herbert Pulgar, 15, in the art room at Lawrence Hall Youth Services, 4833 N. Francisco Ave.
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"We've got the heart, and then we've got the city," he explained.
Pulgar drew the skyline inside a heart with hands reaching toward the symbols of Chicago Police, firefighters and paramedics.
"Chicago heroes need love," he said.
Pulgar said he is excited to see his artwork on car windows all over the city, and wants to become an architect when he is older.
"I used to be, like, real bad, and you know, I changed a lot," he said.
When he's older, and rich, Pulgar wants to help people.
"They've got no food, you know, it's sad; like, I feel like crying right now," he said.
Pulgar's inspiration to honor first responders came from an incident when he was 4.
"I was burnt from my stomach all the way up to my belly button, and they saved my life," he said.
Janice Gould is Pulgar's very proud art teacher.
"I enjoy teaching," she said simply.
Pulgar will receive a $1,000 savings bond that will go toward his continuing education.
"More than 18,000 people helped us choose the next city vehicle sticker design. The bold, bright colors and iconic images in Herbert's design will look great on Chicago cars," city Clerk Susana Mendoza said in a news release. "This year's theme asks that we all take a moment to remember the sacrifices our first responders make for us every day and celebrate their commitment to protecting our neighborhoods. We should all be proud to feature the 2012 – 2013 city stickers on our vehicles to honor Chicago's Heroes."
Second place winner Caitlin Henehan, a senior at Resurrection High School, 7500 W. Talcott Ave., won a $500 savings bond, and third-place winner Dan Caddigan, a senior at Brother Rice High School, 10001 S. Pulaski Rd., won a $250 savings bond. Seven other finalists won $100 savings bonds.
All the finalists will be honored at an awards ceremony at City Hall in January.
