Fire And Public Safety Coloring Contest Winners Announced

OAK LAWN, IL – The Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce recognized both the student artists whose illustrations were included in the 2021 Fire and Safety Coloring Book and the winners of the annual Fire and Public Safety Coloring Book contest.

Talented artists led by Oak Lawn Community High School art teacher Jen Clark contributed the drawings that were showcased in the coloring book. They were honored with certificates at the April chamber member luncheon. Those artists include: Elliot Flores, Breanna Buttney, Hedaya Hasan, Madison Martin, Kathryn Paternostro, Abigail Rudea, Esmeralda Serna, Stefanie Valle Aguilera, Tianna Villanueva, Ashari Williams, Vanessa Cruz, Neila Pirkl, and Anna Pohlmeier.

The Oak Lawn Chamber donated $200 towards the OLCHS Art Program.

The winners of the coloring contest were honored at the April 12 Oak Village Board meeting. Representatives from the Oak Lawn Fire and Police Departments were on hand to congratulate the winners who were honored by Mayor Terry Vorderer, during the meeting.

Also in attendance was Kathleen Farrell, Secretary of the Oak Lawn Chamber, Fire Chief, Zachary Riddle and Police Chief, David Vittorio.

Following the presentation, the winners and their families gathered in the lobby of the Village Hall for goodie bags sponsored by the Oak Lawn Chamber. A delicious gift of a bundlet from Jeff Reynolds of Nothing Bundt Cakes was donated for each of the winners. The winners also received a “Candy Suitcase” from chamber treasurer Natasha Williams of Ferrara Candy.

The first place winners received a family membership to The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn plus a $25 gift card to the museum. All winners received a $25 gift card to the Children’s Museum. Chamber member Oak Lawn Bank and Trust and the Oak Lawn Chamber sponsored the gift certificates.

The family membership to the Children’s Museum for the first place winners was donated by The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn.

The student winners of the Fire Safety Coloring Contest, sponsored by the Oak Lawn Fire Department are:

First Place - Giovanni Heredia, third grade, Harnew Elementary
Second Place - Maryann Karimova, third grade, Kolb Elementary
Third Place - Ivan Covarrubias, third grade, St. Germaine Elementary

The student winners of the Fire Safety Coloring Contest, sponsored by the Oak Lawn Police Department are:

First Place - Niso Amriddinzoda, fourth grade, Kolb Elementary
Second Place - Samuel Hope, third grade, Southwest Chicago Christian
Third Place - Maeve Curley, third grade, St. Catherine

For more than 30 years the Oak Lawn Chamber has collaborated with the Oak Lawn Fire Department to produce this valuable teaching tool for nearly 4,000 K-4 grade students in the community. In recent years, the fire and police departments have partnered on the production of the book. Books are distributed to the students by the Oak Lawn Fire Department during Fire Safety Week in October.

The first place drawing from the respective coloring contests will be featured on the cover of the 2022 Fire and Public Safety Coloring Book.