(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA), in cooperation with the National Weather Service and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA), announced the winners of the annual Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest on March 22.
Open to all Ohio students in kindergarten through sixth grades, the contest serves as a valuable tool to help students learn about severe weather safety and preparedness. Through their illustrations of Ohio severe weather events (tornadoes, thunderstorms, flooding, etc.), over 500 students demonstrated what actions they can take before, during, and after severe weather events to protect themselves and others.
“As chairperson of the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, I am always excited to see the student’s artwork,” said Sima Merick, Executive Director of Ohio EMA. “Each of the winning posters displayed a sound knowledge of severe weather awareness and shared safety messages. We are looking forward to next year’s contest.”
Names of the 7-poster contest winners
(*) Denotes overall state winner.
Kindergarten
Elliana Discenza Cuyahoga County
First Grade
Anna West Ross County
Second Grade
Ellie Feador Cuyahoga County
Third Grade
Dylan Mudalige* Delaware County
Fourth Grade
Christopher D’Angelo Mahoning County
Fifth Grade
Courtney Lewis Portage County
Sixth Grade
Cecilia Ferguson Lawrence County
The following agencies showed their support for these creative students by sponsoring this event and encouraging their artistic talents. Special thanks to Governor Mike DeWine for providing congratulatory letters for the state winners. Please see the list of supporters below:
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
- Ohio Emergency Management Agency
- National Weather Service
- The Ohio School Safety Center
- Ohio Department of Public Safety
- Buckeye Insurance Group
- Central Insurance Companies
- Cincinnati Insurance Companies
- Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
- Emergency Management Association of Ohio (EMAO)
- Ohio Broadcasters Association
- Ohio Department of Commerce – State Fire Marshal
- Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
- Ohio Insurance institute
- Sedgwick
- WCPO, Cincinnati
- Western Reserve Group
- WFMJ, Youngstown
- WHIO, Dayton
- WKBN, Youngstown
- WLWT, Cincinnati
- WOIO, Cleveland
- WSYX, Columbus
- WTOL, Toledo
Learn more about the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness and view the winning posters on the OCSWA website.