Special to The Hays Daily News

Seven-year-old Shayanna Smith, 10-year-old Elizabeth Fulcher, and 11-year-old Alex Goodwin -- all of Goodland -- are the northwest Kansas winners in the 2009 "Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day" poster contest.

The kids will receive a bicycle donated by Walmart in Hays and a helmet donated by Safe Kids Kansas.

The prizes will be presented by the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Highway Patrol at two school assembly events in Goodland. On Monday, Elizabeth and Alex will be presented with their awards during a class assembly at North Elementary School. On Oct. 19, Shayanna will receive her winning bike and helmet during an all-school assembly at West Elementary School.

Nearly 700 poster contest entries were received across the state, with 18 kids receiving regional and statewide recognition. The contest helps make people of all ages aware of the need to reduce fatalities on the nation's highways. Numerous transportation organizations across the state sponsor the event.

For more information on Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, go to www.brakeson fatalities.org.