Two Lawrence County elementary school students’ artwork will grace next year’s edition of the state’s Emergency Medical Services Calendar.

Thursday, October 26, 2000

Two Lawrence County elementary school students’ artwork will grace next year’s edition of the state’s Emergency Medical Services Calendar.

Fifth-graders Brittany Stark at Fairland East Elementary and Amanda McGuire at Rock Hill Elementary No. 1 in Decatur colored posters for the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s contest held this spring.

The budding artists’ won the their way through to the state level, becoming two of 14 poster contest winners out of 4,000 entrants.

Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Service sponsored the contest locally. SEOEMS sent the state more than 300 entries from its service counties, including Lawrence.

Brittany said that she was surprised she’d won the contest, because she didn’t think she had entered.

"I had just moved when I made the poster," Brittany said. "I couldn’t remember my address but the art teacher said that she’d complete the entry for me."

School officials in both districts were impressed with the young winners, who stepped up to the challenge to boost awareness of emergency services’ role in life and what citizens can do to help.

Last year’s winners were from large school districts like Columbus and Cincinnati, which makes it harder – and more impressive – for students from smaller districts to win, Rock Hill No. 1 principal Jerry Evans said.

In Decatur last week, Amanda showed off her entry, a plaque and the 10-speed bicycle she won for her efforts.

Amanda’s winning poster shows a car moving over for an ambulance with the words "see the sirens, hear the lights, pull to the right."

Brittany’s poster has a house with two children on bicycles out front. The text says "don’t just wear it, buckle your helmet."

Brittany also received a plaque and bicycle. She said that she’s already been riding her bike along the road in front of her home.

"I make sure to buckle my bike helmet," Brittany said.

Her winning poster will be featured above the days of April in the 2001 Emergency Medical Services Calender. Brittany is the daughter of Ron Stark and Misty Simpson.

Amanda’s father, James McGuire had forgotten all about the contest until Amanda told him of her awards.

"She came home excited because she won," McGuire said. "She was so happy about winning the bike."

The award gave her butterflies, Amanda said.

"I was so nervous when I went to get my award," Amanda said.

Both Amanda and Brittany were presented the bike and award by Lt. Gov. Moureen O’Connor at a ceremony in Columbus on Oct. 10.

Amanda’s bike was on display at Rock Hill No. 1 for two days. Although she has it at home now, and is riding it, Evans said that he hopes that other students will be encouraged to enter contests like this in the future.

"In my 25 years as an educator, no one I know has ever one anything this significant," Evans said. "I hope that I see more of it."