The two first place Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners, a fourth grade and a fifth grade winner, were announced during the annual Shelton Fire Prevention Contest Awards Ceremony held on February 9, 2011 at Shelton City Hall.
Overall City of Shelton Winners is as follows:
4th Grade – Haley Adcox
5th Grade – Brian Toole
Each of their posters will now advance to a state level contest.
Following opening remarks from Assistant Chief Ted Pisciotta, who congratulated students and thanked parents, teachers, principles, and firefighters for their efforts, Mayor Mark A. Lauretti spoke about the importance of this annual contest and his gratitude for all the many individuals that support this fire safety program. All first and second place winners from the 4th and 5th grade representing each of Shelton’s public and parochial schools, then received a gift card award of $75 and $50, respectively, from Mayor Lauretti.
The annual poster contest is designed to develop fire safety awareness in youngsters and to encourage them to take the message home to their families. It is jointly sponsored by Connecticut FAIR Plan, representing the insurance industry in this state; the Connecticut Fire marshals Association; Connecticut Board of Education and the Office of State Fire Marshal.
The local contest is administered by the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau.
Approximately 1,000 posters were submitted this year from Booth Hill, Elizabeth Shelton, Long Hill, Mohegan, Perry Hill, St. Joseph, St. Lawrence and Sunnyside schools. Each student who submitted a poster will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a pen from the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Committee. Judging was held on December 13, 2010 with city alderman, fire department personnel, and a representative of the Shelton Youth Services Bureau as judges. All first place posters will be displayed over the next year at schools, public buildings, and events.
Mayor Lauretti also presented a gift card award and certificates to winners of the Sixth Grade Essay/Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest.
The Bureau is thankful for the volunteer essay/PSA judges from local newspapers. Since the contest began in 1996, its purpose has been to promote fire safety by having students research the topic while writing their PSA. The fire department/fire prevention bureau would like to use the essay to help remind adults and children how important fire prevention is to Everyone/Everyday. Cash awards were and medals were also presented to the following 2nd and 3rd place winners as well.
This year’s winners are:
1st Place
Mrs. Margait’s Class – Perry Hill School
Student Author: Anastasia Ryskin
2nd Place
Mrs. Oddo’s Class – Perry Hill School
Class Collaborative Effort
3rd Place
6th Grade Class – St. Lawrence School
Student Author: Lydia Seyer
Students of both the poster and essay contests depicted many of the essential elements of preventing fire from ever occurring and of preparation and planning required to be ready for fire.
Chief Pisciotta is hopeful that the messages of posters and essays will be shared with everyone in the community to help further reduce needless damage to property, injury to persons and loss of life that can result from fire.
In addition to spreading information about fire safety, Chief Pisciotta also finds the contest helpful to measure the effectiveness educational programs of the fire prevention bureau. From reviewing the nearly 1,000 posters and essays it becomes apparent where we have made a great impact and have identified areas where special focus may be needed to improve our educational efforts.
For more information about fire safety, the public is encouraged to contact the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau at 924‑1555 or on the web at www.cityofshelton.org.
The winning essay is posted below.
