RES student wins poster contest, iPad

Every second counts when it comes to a fire emergency. That was the theme this year for the third- through fifth-graders who participated in the Fire Safety Week poster contest held by the Russellville Fire Department.

“We went with the National Fire Protection Association’s theme of Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out,” fire marshal Justin Green said.

The students had three weeks to design and decorate posters for the contest, and then people from the community were chosen to judge the entries. This year three students from Melissa Grissom’s Russellville High School art class went to Russellville Elementary to judge the posters.

“We have seen a great response from the students and some really good posters as well. We appreciate all the students who took the time to participate in this year’s contest,” Rhett Bradford said.

The overall winner this year was fifth-grader Bianca Santamaria who received an iPad donated by a local business. Second-place overall winner third-grader Wendy Barrientos won an iPad mini. Bianca, Wendy, and winner Lillian Figueroa and also won $25 Walmart gift cards for their teachers to use for their classrooms, as first-place winners in their grades.

“Without the commitment and support of the local businesses, these prizes wouldn’t be possible,” Bradford said.