Yuko Akita, a fifth grader at Broadview Thomson Elementary School, has won the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods' 2000 Neighbor Appreciation Day greeting card art contest, but she won't find out until many of the cards are already in the mail.

Akita submitted a hand-colored pen-and-ink drawing of downtown Seattle to win the citywide student art contest that put her work on the front of 17,000 greeting cards. The cards read, "Thank you, neighbor!" inside. They will be distributed free to schools, community organizations and individuals throughout Seattle.

Akita won't learn that she has won until early February when she returns from an extended tour of Japan with her family. Mrs. Von Haartman, her teacher at Broadview Thomson, was excited to learn the contest results over the December school break.

"Yuko's artwork portrays the vibrancy of this city," said Jim Diers, director of the Department of Neighborhoods. "Her perspective is so unique and sophisticated, it's hard to believe she's only in the fifth grade. From the Fremont Troll to Hammering Man, from the airport to the monorail, and from musicians in the Market to the crowd at a baseball game, Yuko has captured a lot of the spirit of Seattle."

Akita and 12 finalists from the art contest will see their work exhibited at the Seattle Neighborhood Arts Celebration that takes place on Neighbor Appreciation Day, Feb. 12, from 4-8 p.m. at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St.

Free cards are available at Neighborhood Service Centers ("little city halls") throughout the City and at the Citizens Service Bureau on the first floor of the Municipal Building in downtown Seattle. For more information, call 615-0950.