Student Artists Recognized In OL Fire, Public Safety Coloring Contest

OAK LAWN, IL – The Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce recognized both the student artists whose illustrations were included in the 2022 Fire & Safety Coloring Book AND the winners of the annual 2022 Fire and Public Safety Coloring Book contest on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Talented artists led by Art Teacher Jen Clark at Oak Lawn Community High School contributed the drawings that were showcased in the Coloring Book. They were honored at the March Chamber Member Luncheon.

Those artists include: Emma Galvan, Mona Saleh, Jackelin Baldenegro- Serna, Victoria Hartin, Dana Polich, Eli O’Grady, Vanessa Cruz, Ulises Herrera, Tamia Brown, Diana Preschel, Lilian Arndt, Gabriela Hrsak . The Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce donated $200 towards the OLCHS Art Program.

The winners of the 2022 Fire & Safety Coloring Book contest were honored at the March 14 Oak Lawn Village Board meeting. Representatives from the Oak Lawn Fire and Police Departments were on hand to congratulate the winners who were honored by Trustee Alex Olejniczak (Dist. 2) during the meeting. Also in attendance was Jeff Reynolds, president of the Oak Lawn Chamber, Kathleen Farrell, 2nd Vice President of the Oak Lawn Chamber, and Michelle West of The Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn. Following the presentation, the winners and their families gathered in the lobby of the Village Hall.

The 1st place winners received a Family membership to The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn donated by the Children’s Museum. All six winners received a $25 GC to the Children’s Museum donated by Chamber Member Oak Lawn Bank & Trust. A delicious gift of a bundlet tower from Chamber President Jeff Reynolds of Nothing Bundt Cakes was donated for each of the winners. All winners also received a “Candy Suitcase” from the Chamber 1st Vice President Natasha Williams of Ferrara Candy.

Fire Safety Coloring Contest
(Sponsored by the Oak Lawn Fire Department)

1st Place: Layali Samra
4th Grade, Columbus Manor Elementary School

2nd Place: Santiago Sarneh
3rd Grade, Covington Elementary School

3rd Place: Hugh Curley
4th Grade, St. Catherine School

Public Safety Coloring Contest
(Sponsored by the Oak Lawn Police Department)

1st Place: Zaina Sweis
4th Grade, St. Linus School

2nd Place: Hugh Curley
4th Grade, St. Catherine School

3rd Place: Zofia Kapusciak
3rd Grade, Kolb Elementary School

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-4th grade students in the community. In recent years, the Fire and Police Departments have collaborated 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 1st place drawing from the respective coloring contests will be featured on the cover of the 2023 Fire and Public Safety Coloring Book.