A red light, a stretch of road, and a simple but vital message became the foundation for a first grader’s finalist design.

Mehruba R., a Grade 1 student at Harmony Science Academy-Garland, has been named a finalist in the 2026 North Texas Tollway Authority Student Safety Design Contest, earning regional recognition for artwork that encourages safe driving habits across North Texas.

Her message is straightforward and rooted in everyday observation. Drivers should pay attention, follow traffic signals and stay on the road.

“The trees, the cars, and the grass at school inspired me,” Mehruba said.

From those familiar surroundings, she created a design that reflects both her environment and her understanding of safety. At the center of her work is a clear reminder: stop at red lights and go when they turn green. It is a concept she translated into a visual message that resonated with contest judges.

Mehruba completed the project after the opportunity was introduced in class by her teacher, Ashli Bennett, the campus Gifted and Talented coordinator. The contest was optional, but it quickly became a chance for Mehruba to combine creativity with real-world learning.

When she learned she had been selected as a finalist, her reaction captured both surprise and pride.

“My reaction was, ‘WHAT?! They picked me in the contest? I felt good!’” she said.

Her recognition marks more than a single achievement. It reflects a year of notable personal growth.

Bennett said Mehruba entered the Gifted and Talented Education program as a quiet kindergartener who preferred to observe rather than participate.

“Mehruba was very shy when she entered GATE as a Kindergarten student. She mostly listened during group discussions,” Bennett said. “This year she is making videos, participating in group projects, discussions, and contests. I am so proud of her sharing her knowledge and creativity with the community. Watching her confidence, excitement, and personality blossom this year has been so rewarding.”

That growth is visible not only in her contest submission, but across her classroom work. This year, Mehruba has taken an active interest in art, design and video projects, completing assignments that blend creativity with academic concepts. Her projects have included a math-based exploration of place value through zoo animals and a science-focused study of animal habitats and characteristics, each reflecting both understanding and imagination.

Her experience extended beyond the classroom as well. Mehruba attended NTTA’s Pave the Way Day with her family, where she explored STEM activity stations and learned more about transportation systems and safety. While her artwork was not displayed at the event, it is featured in the contest’s official online gallery.

For Harmony Science Academy-Garland, Mehruba’s recognition highlights the impact of early opportunities that connect creativity, academic learning and real-world application. For Mehruba, it marks a moment where confidence, curiosity and voice came together through a simple but meaningful idea.

At just seven years old, she has already discovered that her perspective can reach beyond the classroom and into her community, one message at a time.