Noah Escalera, a fourth grader at Middle Gate Elementary School, and Gracie Arbogast, a fifth grader from Reed Intermediate School, have been identified as local winners for the 2022-23 Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Recognition Program.

Both artists will receive a $100 gift card to The Toy Tree, as well as a ride to school in a piece of apparatus provided by their district’s fire department.

When asked about the artistic inspiration for his campside scene, Noah cited his love of nature and recalled his sister seeing a wildfire in the woods. Noah said he is very excited for the upcoming ride to school with Botsford Fire Rescue, exclaiming, “I get to see all the cool gadgets!”

Gracie, who will catch a ride with Newtown Hook & Ladder to commemorate her achievement, applied ideas from a recent school project onto her poster.

“I was inspired to make this poster pop out,” she said, and added that she used chalk to blend the colors.

Both artists said with smiles that they felt good about winning the contest.

Deputy Fire Marshal Jamilynn Zapata united with the winners at Newtown Community Center on January 3. “I’m glad we can provide opportunities for the community to learn and be creative at the same time,” Ms Zapata stated. “Parents may have learned [fire safety], but may have forgotten it,” she continued, emphasizing the program’s goal to “keep homes safe.”

Noah’s and Gracie’s entries will advance alongside those from other towns to compete statewide for additional prizes for themselves and their school.

The poster that wins at this final level will be reproduced and dispersed throughout Connecticut in promotion of the activity’s theme: “Fire Prevention — Everyone / Everyday.”