Awards presented for Annual Tornado Safety Poster Contest

Eliora Cobb, grade 4, Northside Elementary, was selected as the Grand Prize winner in the recent Tornado Poster Contest conducted by Oconee County Emergency Services. In addition to a cash award of $50, Eliora also received a weather alert radio. The purpose of the contest is to educate children on the dangers of tornadoes and make them aware of the protective actions that should be taken in the event of a tornado in their area.
First place winners received awards of $50 each and are as follows:
Grade 1 Roland Richardson, Orchard Park Elementary
Grade 2 Destiny McDonald, Walhalla Elementary
Grade 3 Kenya Martinez, Northside Elementary
Grade 4 Eliora Cobb, Northside Elementary
Grade 5 Carissa Frizalone, Walhalla Elementary
Second place winners received awards of $35 each and are as follows:
Grade 1 Hartley Campbell, Walhalla Elementary
Grade 2 Audrey Metler, Northside Elementary
Grade 3 Coby Wood, Tamassee-Salem Elementary
Grade 4 Kylie Thompson, Orchard Park Elementary
Grade 5 Ryleigh Gibson, Fair-Oak Elementary
These students received honorable mentions and awards of $20 each:
Grade 1 Leaha Montes, Orchard Park Elementary
Grade 2 Belinda Garcia, Ravenel Elementary
Grade 3 Savannah Weston, Orchard Park Elementary
Grade 4 Ivy West, Northside Elementary
Grade 5 Liam McMillan, Fair-Oak Elementary
The panel of judges included Libby Imbody, Melody Davis and Suzette Cross. Libby is a graphic designer, visual artist and art educator working out of her art farm/studio, Walhalla Art Works, which also provides classes, camps, and private events for ages two through adult. She studied Graphic Design and Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design and taught elementary art at Keowee Elementary School for ten years. Melody is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is fortunate to have studied art at such a prestigious and rigorous school as Carnegie Mellon University. Since moving back to Salem, SC in 2009 she has volunteered at the Blue Ridge Arts Council and was the developer, instructor, and director of the Tribble Center for Disabled Adults Art Program in Seneca, SC. She is also the founder and director of Gateway Arts Center in Westminster, SC. Suzette has been involved with the Blue Ridge Arts Center for over 5 years and has been the President of the Board for 4 years. She was very involved in the Outdoor Art Project in Seneca, SC. She was also the chair of the Fine Arts and Crafts Show at Keowee Key for 3 years and taught in Michigan for grades 3-6 for 32 years. The winning posters will be on display in the Oconee County Administrative Building until the middle of April.