HADLEY — A large snowplow truck pulling into the Hadley Elementary School Wednesday afternoon gave fifth-grade students their first opportunity to see the name they submitted emblazoned on the doors of the Freightliner 108SD.
Coming out from their classroom with their teacher, Joshua Driver, the children appeared gleeful when they noticed “Snow Day, No Way” written on the doors.
“It was cool because it was a one in 1,000 chance,” said Drew Cutch, 10. “We were so excited.”
Driver said this was a day his students have been anticipating since first learning in January that they were one of 12 classes across the state that won the Name a Snowplow contest, meaning that not only would the name be on the state equipment when out clearing snow and ice from state highways and interstates, but that the actual truck would be dropping by at some point.
“They were very excited about it when they found out the truck was coming here,” Driver said, adding that the event was taking place during what would normally be math class.
The visit by several representatives from the Department of Transportation, including Patricia Leavenworth, the director of District 2 headquarters in Northampton, marked the culmination of the project that began when Driver was alerted by a parent to the contest. When told about it, most of the students returned in a day or two with names they wanted to submit, many of which were creative, such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Snow Plow, or plays on Star Wars characters.
Driver put the names in an email and them submitted them electronically.
“To be a small school and be chosen, we’re extremely pleased,” Driver said. “It’s been a topic of conversation here.”
“Snow Way, No Way” is written in mostly blue letters, surrounded by snowflakes, while the “no,” written in black letters, is crossed out with a red mark. Below this image is Hadley Elementary School, Hadley.
“I’m so happy you’re able to see the truck you named,” Leavenworth said as she greeted the class.
Two were chosen for each of the six highway districts in Massachusetts. Other winners in the area included Buckland-Shelburne Elementary in Shelburne Falls, which submitted the “Sled Zeppelin” name, and Munger Hill School in Westfield, which submitted “Luke Snowalker.” Other winners provided names such as “Sherlock Snowmes,” “Blizzard Wizard” and “Snow Time to Lose.”
Hadley’s name was selected from over 900 submissions. “You guys had stiff competition,” Leavenworth said.
The school gets a $100 gift card that can be used to purchase school supplies, and each student and others got a sticker with the name and logo. A larger metal sign with the name and logo will be displayed inside the classroom.
During the event, students lined up to hop into the cab, with most making sure to sound the horn.
Nevaeh Richardson, 10, said she was happy to be part of the day, though her submission, “Wipe It Away, Bae” was not chosen. Still, she was amused at the chance to get in the vehicle.
“I’m surprised to honk the horn you pull it,” Nevaeh said.
The contest was put together so grade school students could celebrate the snow and ice season and be reminded of dedication of public works employees and contractors during winter storms. Leavenworth told the students that many of the workers are out in the middle of the night while the students are asleep, having gone to bed thinking about a snow day.
“In addition to recognizing the schools that submitted winning names, this contest also strengthens the connection MassDOT has with communities across the Commonwealth,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca.
Even though the truck is gleaming and clean, it wasn’t like that a few weeks ago.
“It represents the men and woman who are fighting snowstorms all year long,” Leavenworth said. “That’s not an easy thing to do.”
With about 250 pieces of equipment in District 2, and 3,900 vehicles statewide, Kristen Pennucci, a spokeswoman for the state DOT, said the hope is to continue making the contest an annual event and add more snowplows to those that have already been named.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
