The story below is from our December/November 2015 issue. For the DIGITALLY ENHANCED VERSION, download our FREE iOS app or view our digital edition for FREE today!
Roanoke Fire-EMS will host annual dinner at the firehouse for art contest winners.
Students throughout the valley were challenged to put on their creative thinking helmets and create works of art in celebration of the 2015 Fire Prevention Week Art Contest.
“Our school has participated in the program since the beginning,” says Susan Light, an art teacher at Grandin Court Elementary School. “The students are really enthusiastic about it.”
Teachers at each school throughout the area select five works to submit to the contest. All of the winners will be invited to Dinner at the Firehouse, where they will be recognized for their outstanding Fire Prevention Week illustrations.
“A lot of the kids are recognized, not just the first-place winners,” says Light. “Their whole family attends the dinner, and the kids get prizes and gift cards as well as a big dinner to celebrate.”
While the firehouse dinner is a big motivator, many of the kids that participate each year enjoy the opportunity to be creative.
“For children, creativity is a part of them,” says Light. “Give them paper and materials, and they have a lot of fun. Even if they aren’t terribly artistic. This contest especially helps students develop their skills creating artwork that requires lettering and the presentation of telling a story.”
Another benefit of the contest is what the students learn through creating their works of art and Fire Prevention Week in general.
“It makes kids think about fire safety,” says Light. “How they’re going to get out of the house in the event of a fire, where the smoke detectors are located.”
On November 9, the winners and their families will have dinner with the Roanoke Fire-EMS fire chief at Station 5 to receive their awards.
