This year, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty hosted an annual poster contest for students from the District of Columbia Public School System. Coordinated by the Office of the Secretary, the Cherry Blossom Poster Contest is scheduled to coincide with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The contest provides an opportunity for students to learn more about Japan, while displaying their artistic talents.

The winners of the 2007 contest* will meet with the Mayor on April 13, 2007, during the second week of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which attracts more than 750,000 visitors to the nation's capital annually. While one of the goals of the contest is to recognize some of DC's best and brightest students, it is also designed to educate students, parents and teachers about Japanese culture and promote the friendship that exists between the US and Japan.

This year's contest began in January, despite several missed school days due to the wintry weather. Five judges chose 13 winners and four Honorable Mention participants. With close to 100 DC Public School students participating in the contest, selecting the winners was a challenge. The theme of the contest was " Cherry Blossom: Saluting a World Class City, Communities and Friendship." Students were instructed to include this theme in their posters and were judged on their creativity and originality.

Southwest Airlines will display all student posters at their ticket counters at Thurgood Marshall and Dulles International.