Congestion on Minds of Third-Graders

Some local third-graders envision monorails, an increase in traffic congestion, more development and an even larger Disneyland when they imagine Orange County’s future.

In conjunction with KOCE-TV’s celebration of 25 years of broadcasting, the station sponsored an art contest for third-graders in Orange County public schools, encouraging them to draw their impressions of what a particular local landmark or area might look like a quarter century from today.

John Gustafson, a teacher at Westwood Basics Plus Elementary School in Irvine, said most of the students in his class were positive there would be more traffic congestion in the years ahead.

“Most of their drawings showed a landmark the way it looks now but with a lot more congestion, as well as more commercial development,” Gustafson said. “One interesting aspect is that several of the students drew monorails.”

Gustafson said many students centered their artwork on the Irvine Spectrum or Disneyland, and their drawings showed considerable growth at both.

A contest spokeswoman said more than 400 students sent in drawings, and that many pictured John Wayne Airport as being larger and busier 25 years down the road. A few drew a completed airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Each student who entered the contest, which has now ended, will receive a certificate of participation.

KOCE is in the process of picking a winner and that student and the student’s teacher will be recognized in a segment that will air on “Real Orange” throughout the week of Nov. 17.

The contest winner will receive gift certificates and prizes, which include two tickets to Disneyland.