For the second year in a row, Gabrielle Luoma's artwork will help educate Sudburians of the dangers of fast flowing water. The Grade 6 student from École St-Dominique was the overall poster contest winner of this year's Fast Flowing Water Contest.
The contest is in its eleventh year and was created to educate fast water safety and prevent the tragedy that took the life of 13-year-old Adam Dickie in 2007.
Dickie was the 22nd recorded victim of drowning in Greater Sudbury’s Junction Creek. After this tragic incident, the Junction Creek Safety Committee was established to review conditions around fast flowing water and make recommendations to reduce the possible recurrence of this tragic event.
Research revealed that an educational campaign would be the most effective tool in establishing a “psychological fence” which would alert children and their parents to the dangers of these water bodies. The result has been the Fast Flowing Water Contest and elementary curriculum package that includes a syllabus for JK to grade 8. Outreach presentations have also been made by Conservation Sudbury at local school and reached over 18,000 students since 2016.
In the poster division, one winner was selected for each grade and given a $300 gift card. Luoma's poster was selected as the overall winner and will be showcased on two 10’ x 20’ billboards in Greater Sudbury, donated by Petryna Advertising.
Luoma was also the overall video contest winner for the commercial that she wrote with her best friend and classmate Avery Forsyth.
The pair's script was brought to life as a real PSA, with production provided by Petryna Advertising and screening donated by Cinéfest International Film Festival this September. As script winners, they also received a $500 gift card and the winning school a $500 gift certificate to Querney's Office Plus. Watch the commercial below.
"I love this contest because it's such a great message," Luoma said.
"It's really sad what happened to Adam Dickie and we don’t want that to happen to another child.
It's unfortunate and it should be prevented."
The following winners were announced at today’s awards ceremony:
Video Contest Winner:
Avery Forsyth and Gabrielle Luoma, École St-Dominique (teacher: Gilles Richer)
Poster Contest Winners:
Grade 3: Ashlyn Sutherland, Cyril Varnery Public School (teacher: Brigitte Hollohan)
Grade 4: Nikita Williams, Cyril Varney Public School (teacher: Brigitte Hollohan)
Grade 5: Lindsey Laforest, Lansdowne Public School (teacher: Melyssa Berardi)
Grade 6 and overall poster winner: Gabrielle Luoma, École St-Dominique (teacher: Gilles Richer)
Grade 7: Fiona Schwendener, Princess Anne Public School (teacher: Kelsey Collins)
Grade 8: Madison Coutu, St. Anne Catholic School (teacher: Julie Blahey)
Teachers interested in using the Fast Flowing Water curriculum are encouraged to visit Conservation Sudbury’s portal to download grade specific lessons, activities and worksheets.
