2017 Poster Contest Winners Announced

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A panel of judges including West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice has selected the winners of the state’s second annual Fire Safety Poster Contest, with the chosen artwork to be featured in a 2018 wall calendar.

 

This year’s contest attracted entries from 108 students from 33 counties – nearly twice as many students and nearly double the participating counties as the inaugural contest in 2016.

Starting in August, West Virginia students in kindergarten through 5th grade began creating art posters to illustrate the importance of fire safety. Sponsored by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, this effort to engage students aims to highlight and promote fire safety awareness throughout West Virginia schools.

 

Will Bryant, a 5th grader from Athens Elementary in Mercer County, won first place. Bryant’s poster will grace the front cover of the calendar and will be the featured art for October, during which National Fire Prevention Week takes place.

 

The remaining months will feature artwork from the honorable mention entries:

Raylan Lusher, kindergarten, Culloden Elementary, Cabell County

Elizabeth Greene, kindergarten, Paden City Elementary, Wetzel County

Andon Pauley, 2nd grade, Whitesville Elementary, Boone County.

Madelyn Burks, 2nd grade, Culloden Elementary, Cabell County

Sofia D’Annunzio, 4th grade, St. Mary’s Grade School, Harrison County

Riley Lanza, 5th grade, St. Mary’s Grade School, Harrison County

 

Joining First Lady Justice as this year’s judges were Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jeff Sandy, and Betty Jo Jordan, executive assistant to the state schools superintendent at the W.Va. Department of Education. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is part of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.

 

State Fire Marshal Ken Tyree says: “I’m so pleased with this opportunity to see the artistic talent and learned knowledge of the students who participated in our second year educational and artistic project. We hope to continue this contest for years to come. I look forward to meeting the winners in the very near future.”

 

The 2016 contest drew 55 poster entries from 18 counties. Bryant, then a 4th grader, won that contest as well.

 

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