A sleek, sophisticated poster design by 16-year-old Elizabeth Sabol of Lahser High earned a $1,000 top award in a statewide competition sponsored by the North American International Auto Show.

Judges were impressed by the Troy sophomore's professional-style graphic of a running figure with gears, pistons, springs and other automotive components representing flung-back arms, a beating heart, pumping calf muscles and wind-blown hair.

"I got inspired by looking at cars and comparing them to people, from the headlights to the grille making a face," Sabol said.  

The skilled student won the Chairmen's Award, one of two top prizes. Fourteen other Michigan students also are among finalists selected this month from among 900 entries. Sabol, known as "Lizzy" at school, is one of just four sophomore prize winners.

Entries from Lahser and Andover High were encouraged as classwork by graphic arts instructor Melissa Edmunds, a working artist who graduated from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. Posters submitted by eight other Lahser student are posted on the school's website.

'An extra kick'

"This is an outstanding way for students to learn, with an extra kick of motivation," said Edmunds, also an art teacher at Andover High for two years. "This project provides students with an authentic situation. They are creating a publication piece that possibly will be used to represent the 'client.' "

Working with Adobe Illustrator, a program she began using last year, the sophomore crafted distinctive, dynamic artwork that suggests motion, machinery and modernity. Her entry includes required type identifying the North American International Auto Show and its site.

Lasher and Andover participate annually in the contest. "It connects with theory, skill, and evaluations of the student's work itself," said Edmunds, "as well as the evaluation of other similar works."

What clicks into place for teens, the teacher added, is "how [an artistic] vision can lure or persuade a crowd."

Sabol's early-stage career interests involve "automotive design as well as graphic design. I like graphic design because I enjoy using computers as a tool to create art."

The auto show opens at Cobo Center with a Jan. 9-10 media preview before a Jan. 14-22 public exhibition of new models and concept cars.

Students' work on view       

The event, among the highest-profile auto shows worldwide, is organized by the Troy-based Detroit Auto Dealers Association. It enlisted College for Creative Studies instructors and other local art community members to judge the high school contest.

All 16 finalists' designs, submitted as 25-inch-by-21-inch posters, will be displayed at the show and in its program brochure. They’re also here on the event website. The dealers' association gave $6,300 to the teen artists.

"This unique opportunity encourages students to pursue interests in not only the art community, but the automotive industry as well," said auto show chairman Bill Perkins, a Chevrolet dealer in Taylor.

Rod Alberts of Bloomfield Hills, executive director of the group, has overseen the downtown show's operations since 1990.

Lahser's other entrants are:

• Seniors Andy Boyer, Alex Gardner. Kasey Favier, Abbey Haji-Sheikh, and Graham Myint.
• Junior Madeline MacLean.
• Sophomores Eleni Beauchamp and John Dawes.