City council recognizes poster contest winners

State Farm agent Rhett Bradford presents a $2,500 check to the Russellville Fire Department to go toward fire prevention education.

Photos by Ciera Hughes Students from Russellville Elementary School are recognized by the city council Monday for their posters in the Russellville Fire Department fire safety poster contest. Students recognized include third-graders April Hall, Alex Rivera and Sara Juan; fourth-graders Abby Coronado, Sam Webb and Alexa Trapp; and fifth-graders Khushi Patel, Britlie Morshauser and Gavin Willis.

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Russellville Fire Department fire marshal Justin Green said although learning about fire safety is made fun for students, he is proud they are learning how to put this knowledge into action.

“Just one week after we had fire prevention week over at West Elementary, we had two different fires where students were able to tell their family what they needed to do to stay safe in a fire,” Green said.

He said in one of the fires, a first-grader told the family to get out of the house and meet at the designated spot. At the other fire, a student told the family that to get out they had to stay low underneath the smoke.

To help continue fire prevention education, representatives from State Farm, including local agent and former firefighter Rhett Bradford, were present at the council meeting to present a $2,500 check to the Russellville Fire Department.

The theme of this year’s fire prevention month, “Not every hero wears a cape. Plan and practice your escape,” was evident among the posters from the third- through fifth-graders, who spent the month learning fire education.

The fire department received donations to give as prizes to each winner of the poster contest. The second- and third-place winner from each grade received a $25 Walmart gift card. The third-place overall winner received a $50 Walmart gift card and AirPods; second-place overall received an iPad; and first-place overall received an iPad and a $50 Walmart gift card.

The teachers for the first-, second- and third-place overall winners also received Walmart gift cards to go toward buying supplies for their classrooms.

In third grade, April Hall received third place, and Alex Rivera received second place. Abby Coronado came in third in the fourth grade, and Sam Webb came in second. Khushi Patel placed third in the fifth grade, and Britlie Morshauser came in second.

Fifth-grader Gavin Willis came in third place overall; third-grader Sara Juan came in second place overall; and fourth-grader Alexa Trapp came in first place overall.