SamTrans Honors 30th Anniversary Essay Contest Winners

A television production assistant, a graduate student in journalism and a retiree of the U.S. Post Office were the top three winners of SamTrans’ 30th Anniversary Essay Contest.

The contest was part of an ongoing celebration since July 1, which marked the anniversary of the formation the San Mateo County Transit District in 1976. Open to anyone, the contest asked people to submit an essay of no more than 350 words on the topic of “What SamTrans Has Meant to Me.”

Nearly 100 essays were received, ranging from people who were bus riders when SamTrans first went into business, to some of our youth pass holders whose parents weren’t alive when SamTrans started out. The essays themselves were equally varied, rang from a hand-written submission in Italian, to some wonderful recollections that exceeded were nearly 10 times the word limit.

The essays were judged by a panel, which selected three top-prize winners and 10 runners-up.

The winning essay, by Michael Del Cruz, of Daly City described how he started using SamTrans as a new immigrant to the Unites States 10 years ago, and how he credited the service for helping him to get to school in order to earn his degree at San Francisco State University. He won a stay at the Tuscan Inn on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, dinner for two, and a monthly SamTrans express service pass.

Second prize went to Arsineh Ghazarian, a native of Iran, who moved to U.S. with her family as a young girl. Her recollections of SamTrans are inseparably entwined with her childhood in Redwood City. While her family continues to live in San Mateo County, Ms. Ghazarian is completing her master’s degree in business and economic journalism at Boston University. She won a dining cruise for two from Hornblower Cruises and a monthly SamTrans express service pass.

Third prize was won by Ethel Thompson, a senior citizen living in Daly City. Ms. Thompson recalls life for a single mother with five children and no car both before and after the introduction of SamTrans service. A retiree of the U.S. Postal Service, Ms. Thompson is a SamTrans monthly passholder, and continues to ride the bus almost every day. She won a “family fun pack” of tickets, including four passes to Roaring Camp Railroads, Winchester Mystery House, San Francisco Wax Museum, Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruises, the San Francisco Exploratorium, and a monthly SamTrans express service pass

In addition to the three winning essayists, there were 10 runners-up who each won a $20 gift certificate in recognition for their wonderful essays and recollections of their experiences with SamTrans over the years (a list of the runners-up are listed for honorable mention at the end of this release).

The winning essays were read at the Dec. 13 SamTrans board meeting, and the winners were honored by the board of directors. A brochure with the winning essays can be found on SamTrans buses. The text of the winning essays follows:

FIRST PLACE - Michael Dela Cruz, Daly City

I have been a Daly City resident for 10 years, since my family and I moved here from Manila, Philippines. We came with a small amount of cash and a cornucopia of feelings ranging from excitement, pride and even mild trepidation as we embarked on a new chapter in our lives.

Ten years ago I got my first job at a department store. I didn’t have a car so I relied on SamTrans to get me to work. A year later I attended Skyline College in San Bruno. The harsh combination of work and homework meant less sleep for me. The 121 Skyline College bus not only became my ride to school but it became an extension of my bed. The comfy seats would welcome my weary body while the 40-minute commute meant a nice 40-minute nap.

SamTrans was always there to pick me up to and from school or work day or night in any weather. When I transferred to City College I relied on the 391 SamTrans line to take me to Mission and Evergreen where I waited for the Muni. Two years later I went to SF State and this time the 390 SamTrans bus shuttled me between home and Daly City BART.

Graduation Day 2005 arrives and as I walked along the pathway amongst my fellow graduates I felt nostalgic. Amidst the din of the crowd and bright flashbulbs I saw myself riding the 121 bus on my first day of school. I saw myself reading schoolbooks even doing homework inside the buses. It was then I realized how SamTrans not only carried me to my destinations but also carried me to my future.

On the way home from the ceremony I decided to take the bus instead of our car. I proudly wore my cap inside the bus and shortly after I got off the driver congratulated me for graduating. I thanked him for the kind words and I quietly thanked SamTrans for getting me to my destination … the bus to my future.

SECOND PLACE - Arsineh Ghazrian, Redwood City

One of the most wonderful rewards in life is having a life-long friend, someone who has seen you change, develop, and mature through the many stages of your life. Having moved a few times throughout San Mateo County as a child I found myself constantly having to make a new set of friends and neighbors. Now that I’ve gotten older and I look back at my childhood and teenage years, I think about the importance of consistency, and having someone to call confidant throughout the trials and tribulations of life.

SamTrans was in many ways my confidant. Throughout some of my most important days growing up, SamTrans was there.

I remember as a first grader, stepping on a SamTrans bus for the first time. I was too short to reach the “stop request” cord, so my brother was in charge of pulling the cord.

I remember riding the bus for the first time alone as a fifth grader. I was nervous, and the bus driver must have noticed, because he gave me a big smile and asked me if it was my first time taking the bus. He told me to sit up towards the front of the bus and made sure I didn’t miss my stop.

Maybe my memories as a child and of SamTrans wouldn’t be quit as happy had it not been for all of the kind bus drivers I encountered that day, and many other days.

As a teenager I remember socializing with friends on the SamTrans buses while we would take trips to the local malls, libraries and carnivals.

I recall always feeling a strong level of safety and comfort every time I would enter those folding door and step onto the bus.

So much of my memories of childhood are intertwined with memories of SamTrans. I can’t think of life without SamTrans, but then again, that’s what makes it special, constant, dependable, and reliable, the types of qualities that everyone looks to find in a confidant.

This is what SamTrans has meant to me.

THIRD PLACE – Ethel Thompson, Daly City

I moved to Daly City in March 1964 from San Francisco, my husband, four children and one car. It was really a hassle getting the kids to school and my husband and I getting to work. We both worked for the postal service in San Francisco. The jitney was always crowded - you would get passed two or three times, and Muni was a hassle. In 1969, I had another child and getting her to child care was a disaster. But in 1976, July 1st, what a blessing when SamTrans started!

You have a lot of very nice drivers, and I have a lot of favorites. I am so happy to see them and we are on a first-name basis.

In 1977, I was divorced, so no car anymore. Five children and I depended on SamTrans and it was always there to the rescue. I could ride the #22 bus or the 5M straight to work without any trouble.

I still do not have a car so I am on SamTrans daily, sometimes two or three times. Thank goodness and SamTrans for the senior pass! SamTrans is a clean, comfortable ride - I could go on and on about all the great things, but it would put me way over 350 words.

Runners-Up for Honorable Mention

• Dianne Bistyga, Pacifica
• Karen Breitenstein, San Bruno
• Michelle Cheng, Daly City
• Luzviminda de Leon, Daly City
• Yammin He, San Carlos
• Man Kwong Louey, San Francisco
• Kathleen Meeks, San Mateo
• Julie O’Neill, San Francisco
• Felicidad Palma, Daly City
• Rosalie Wasserman, San Mateo

12/19/06 - jbw