The Southington Fire Department announced the local winners of the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Ava Agan and Joscelyn Spinelli were Southington’s 2015 winners. Spinelli’s poster was chosen as a Hartford County winner.
The annual contest is for open to students across the state in grades 4 and 5. Contestants are challenged to create a poster to promote Fire Prevention and Fire Safety, with the theme of “Fire Prevention-Everyone/Everyday.” Local winners advance to compete in the county and state level. County winners are invited to attend a special luncheon in their honor in March. Approximately 30,000 students, from 130 communities take part in this annual contest.
The Connecticut Fire Marshals Association, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environment Protection, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, State Board of Education, and the Connecticut Fair Plan, that represents the insurance industry, sponsor this event.
Egan, a student at Hatton Elementary School, won the fourth grade contest. Aniela Carlson from Strong Elementary School placed second overall. Spinelli, a student from Kelly Elementary School, scored the fifth grade title. Jessie Palladino from Thalberg Elementary School finished as runner up.
Fire Inspector Robert Hunt coordinates the event each year in cooperation with the teachers at the participating schools. All eight public and two private elementary schools are encourage to participate. Several of the top posters will be on display on the first floor of the town hall and the lower floor of the Municipal Center during the next 30 days.
The winners, along with their families, attended an award ceremony at Southington Fire Headquarters on Dec. 7. Both first place winners received checks for $50 and a season’s pass to Lake Compounce. Both runners up received $25 and a season’s pass for Lake Compounce. Honorable Mention winners received various gifts donated by local restaurants, businesses, and merchants.
Spinelli earned an addition $150 from for capturing the county title.
The following businesses sponsored this year’s event: Apple Valley Bowling, Family Pizza Restaurant, Manor Inn Restaurant, Moe’s Restaurant, Play It Again Sports, Sassy Mama Sweets & Eats, Shop Rite, Southington Fire Fighters Local 2033, Southington Mini Diner and Spartan II Restaurant.