Winner Announced in Fire Marshal Poster Contest

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Office of the State Fire Marshal proudly recognizes the winning and honorable mention entries in its first annual Fire Safety Poster Contest. Starting next week, State Fire Marshal Ken Tyree will visit the schools of these entrants to commend them for their contributions toward educating the public.
Fourth grader Will Bryant of Athens Elementary School in Mercer County submitted the winning artwork, which the judges found clearly displayed multiple important fire safety messages that everyone should practice. Will’s entry will appear on the calendar’s cover and as the featured art for October, which is Fire Prevention Month.
The remaining months will showcase the submissions of the honorable mention entrants:

• Saul Khaaliq, 3rd grade, Mt. Hope Elementary, Fayette County
• Marley Shrewsberry, 1st grade, New River Elementary, Fayette County
• Levi Martin, 1st grade, Union Educational Complex, Grant County
• Miranda Martin, 4th grade, Union Educational Complex, Grant County
• Gunner Thomas, kindergarten, Romney Elementary, Hampshire County
• Melinda Matthews, 2nd grade, North View Elementary, Harrison County
• Mason Johnson, kindergarten, North View Elementary, Harrison County
• Leah Pugh, 3rd grade, Johnson Elementary, Harrison County
• Lucy Peyton, 2nd grade, Driswood Elementary, Jefferson County
• Audrey Helmick, 5th grade, Paw Paw Elementary, Morgan County
• Alley Perry, 5th grade, Lavalette Elementary, Wayne County

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has launched the annual poster contest to highlight and promote fire safety awareness throughout West Virginia schools. Students in kindergarten through 5th grade were asked in August to create posters to illustrate the importance of fire safety. The inaugural contest received 55 poster entries, from schoolchildren in 18 counties.
A panel of volunteers – Education and the Arts Secretary Kay Goodwin, Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Joseph Thornton, and Betty Jo Jordan, executive assistant to the state superintendent of schools – selected the winning and honorable mention entries. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is part of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.

State Fire Marshal Ken Tyree thanked the judges for their work, and praised the schoolchildren who submitted entries.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office plans to post the winning and honorable mention entries on its website: www.firemarshal.wv.gov.