Weather-awareness poster contest seeks young artists

Staff report

columbus

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness is looking for students in first through sixth grades and specialized instruction classes to participate in its annual poster contest.

The goal of the severe- weather-awareness poster contest is to have Ohio’s youth demonstrate through illustrations of actions they can take before, during and after severe weather events to protect themselves and others.

Snow and ice storms, tornadoes, floods, thunder and lightning storms and extreme heat are weather conditions that typically impact the state.

“As educators and parents, we are committed to teach safety and preparedness practices to our students,” said Nancy Dragani, executive director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. “With last summer and fall’s devastating tornadoes and this winter’s snow and ice storms, this poster contest is the perfect opportunity for students to learn about weather preparedness, be creative and teach others about severe-weather planning and protection.”

Ohio schools have until April 16 to send their first-place posters (per grade) to their regional National Weather Service offices.

The NWS offices will judge all poster entries and choose their top regional winners per grade. In early May, the Severe Weather Awareness committee will judge the top regional posters to determine the state and overall state winners.

Schools will be notified of their regional winners by the end of May. All regional winners will be invited to attend the poster contest awards ceremony, which will be at the Ohio State Fair’s DiSalle Center on Aug. 6.

All regional winners and their parents will receive four entry passes for the day at the Ohio State Fair. The regional winners will receive a host of prizes, certificates and awards, all packed inside a sling bag.

State-level winners will receive additional prizes, a congratulatory letter from the governor, their posters framed, plaques, rain gauges and $50 savings bonds. The overall state winner will receive the regional and state-level prizes, plus a $100 savings bond, additional prizes from the committee’s partners, a personalized trophy, and a trophy to display at the overall winner’s school.

An ideal time for students to participate in the poster contest is during Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week, which is March 20-26. Many schools’ science and art classes focus on severe weather and emergency preparedness during this time of year. Also, during this safety campaign, a statewide tornado drill will be conducted at 9:50 a.m. March 23.

Most counties will test and sound their outdoor warning sirens and the Emergency Alert System will broadcast a test message.

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness encourages schools, businesses and homes to practice their tornado safety drills during this time.

For complete rules and forms to participate in the poster contest, visit the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness website at: www.weathersafety.ohio.gov. Go to Just for Kids and click on 2011 Poster Contest Rules.

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness is made up of 14 organizations and state agencies that are dedicated in teaching Ohioans severe-weather safety and preparedness.