The winner of the 2016-2017 Arlington County vehicle decal contest is a cropped photo of the neon “Arlington” sign on the front of the Arlington Cinema Drafthouse on Columbia Pike.
The winning entry, submitted by Wakefield High School sophomore Ryan Kovich, was announced at last night’s County Board meeting. Kovich’s photo will grace the windshield of more than 160,000 vehicles in Arlington County starting later this year.
“This building has been entertaining Arlington residents since the 1930s,” Kovich said of his entry. “This picture represents Arlington because the arts are very important to the residents. The Cinema ‘n’ Drafthouse also represents friendship and time spent together. Every time I see the aged building and the nostalgic sign, it reminds me of the moments I have spent there with family and friends.”
Kovich will receive a cash prize of $750 from the Arlington Community Federal Credit Union. Contest runners-up, who will receive $500 apiece, include Washington-Lee sophomore Gabrielle McKenna, Wakefield senior Amelia Wilt and Bishop O’Connell freshman Schuyler Workmaster.
As detailed in a press release, this year the winner of the contest was determined by an instant runoff voting process, in which the 1,800 Arlington residents who voted ranked the decals from first to fourth.