KELO: Kids Create Safety Billboards for South Dakota

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/kids-create-safety-billboards-for-south-dakota/

Three students at St Michael Elementary in Sioux Falls were surprised to find out today that their artwork is being displayed on giant billboards.

The Associated General Contractors and construction companies get together for this annual contest for 4th graders across the state.

Representatives from Soukup Construction, Journey Group, and Asphalt Surfacing Company announced some of the winners at St Michael Elementary today.

Cece’s poster shows a car approaching a construction zone.

“I like this one because they are putting their thumbs up to let them know that they are stopping,” said Cece.

In Lola’s poster, the driver of the blue car is on the phone.

“You shouldn’t look at phones because they can cause accidents,” said Lola.

Each of the kids gets a mini billboard to take home. Noha is holding his.

“Well, I drew a cone talking about like my phrase, like if you don’t do safety in work zones, you could get really hurt,” said Noha.

Each student gets a 25 dollar check and the teacher gets a hundred dollar check. Organizers say the artwork serves an important role.

“People are just more apt to check out artwork from kids; the messages they come up with the drawings are just incredible. 48:15 So instead of just seeing a computer-made artwork with its actual drawings the kids come up with on their own, so I think it catches your eye just a little bit differently than your everyday billboards,” said Lindsay Willits, AGC South Dakota

So this summer, as you are approaching workers on the highway, just remember Lola’s slogan

“No phones in construction zones,” said Lola.

Additional winners are being announced this week in Tea, Spearfish, and Whitewood.