SDDOT Snowplow Naming Contest Previous Winners

Scoop! There it is!
Submitted by: Pete Stevenson


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"We have participated for the last three years.  We declare a week “Snowplow Days”.  We have a newsletter each day with information about our in-office contest, snow related puzzles, cartoons, jokes, and some winter driving and safety reminders.  On Thursday we vote for our office favorite, and on Friday our winner receives a “fabulous” prize.  On Friday everyone also gets a gift bag with goodies and other reminders for packing a winter travel bag, with such items as snacks, first aide items, hand wipes, winter travel guide, etc.

This year our winner was Carmen Hall with her “Catch My Drift” suggestion.  We then submit the winning entry on behalf of Lantis Enterprises.  We do encourage our folks to enter the non-winning names also on their own, as we have had some great suggestions.

Thanks again – we always have a blast trying to come up with a name to submit, but this year it was extra fun."

Belle Fourche Beacon News Article

Little Plow on the Prairie
Submitted by Sarah Wellner

DRG News Article

KCCR Radio Article

Betty White-Out
Submitted by Tayla Irwin

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Blizzard Buster
Submitted by Christine Wanless

SDDOT contest winner meets Blizzard Buster-Keloland News

Plowabunga
Submitted by Mesa Bartlett
Daughter of Collin Bartlett, Highway Maintenance Worker for the SDDOT in White River

Blizzard of Oz
Submitted by Jessica Wimer

           

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Watertown Area - Governor Noem's Honorary Name - Dale

  

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Submitted by: Highmore-Harrold Elementary - 1st Grade Class

 

Jim Stephenson – (yellow) Lead HMW  – Brad Parmely – HMW  (operator of Termiblader) both out of the Highmore SDDOT Shop

What would you name a snowplow? How's 'Highway Hero,' which will soon push powder, scrape ice in Mitchell area

The South Dakota Department of Transportation announced 12 winners of the state's second annual Name the Snowplow contest

Written By: Hunter Dunteman | 1:49 pm, Jan. 5, 2022

A City of Mitchell snow plow clears off a road near Avera Queen of Peace Hospital.
 

PIERRE, S.D. — Twelve freshly named snowplows will hit the streets this winter, pushing fresh powder aside for travelers in South Dakota to arrive to their destinations safely.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) held its second annual Name the Snowplow contest in November, accepting public submissions for state-owned snowplows in 12 different plowing districts across the state.

The contest was designed to engage people across the state with the SDDOT in a fun way while providing safety information to assist the traveling public during winter weather.

“Dale’s legacy is a tribute to all snowplow operators, tow truck drivers, law enforcement officials, and others who work long hours, in tough winter weather conditions, to keep the traveling public safe throughout our state,” Noem said.

Roadway safety is a high priority for the SDDOT, and officials say winter driving and snowplow safety awareness is vital to keeping people safe each and every day.

Melissa Davis, of Mitchell, who submitted the winning name of Highway Hero, focused her entry on the hard work of the SDDOT snowplow operators.

“There are heroes all around us,” Davis said. “I wanted to recognize the hard work and sacrifice that snowplow drivers give every winter. It is true that not all heroes wear capes.”

Part of that sacrifice is heading to work whenever it snows — even if it’s a weekend or holiday, according to Liz Franco, of Elk Point, who submitted the winning name of Thank Me Blader.

“The inspiration behind the submission of Thank Me Blader was my dad, who worked as a snow plow driver for the state,” Franco said. “Snowplow operators serve an essential role in keeping the public safe, having to go out in the worst of driving conditions and on weekends and holidays. It’s a role that does not get as much recognition and thanks as it should.”

Snowplow naming contests, and their adaptations, have taken the internet by storm in recent years, since officials in the United Kingdom opened up for public submissions to name a research vessel.

When voting on submitted names had concluded, Boaty McBoatFace led the polls with over 124,000 votes. Researchers instead opted for the fourth-highest vote-getter, David Attenborough, which only garnered 1,100 votes.

Name-a-snowplow contests have been held in recent years in Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and more.

In July, Rapid City adapted the contest to name their garbage trucks, resulting in trash-haulers named Sir Dumps A Lot, Mt. Trashmore, Littler-Gitter and Obi-One-Can-Only.

In SDDOT's 2020-21 competition, Mitchell's snowplow was named Blizzard Wizard, while other SDDOT areas saw snowplows named Thaw Enforcement, Walter the Salter and more.

If SDDOT decides to hold another contest later this year, submissions have traditionally opened in November.

Snow Problemo
Submitted by: Mercy Howard


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West River Shiver
Submitted by: Ann Eads

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Quick Thaw McGraw
Submitted by: Linda Nassar

Linda's creative snowplow name comes with a sentimental tie for Doug and his family. When Doug was only nine years old his older brother tragically passed away at the age of 15. Doug's brother's favorite cartoon was Quick Draw McGraw, so having the opportunity to operate this plow is something he takes great pride in.

Submitted by: Caysen Newbold

      

Pictured L-R in Plow Patrol photo #2 are the following: Beth Newbold;  Caysen Newbold, Name the Snowplow Contest winner for Winner Area;  Josh Gullickson, LHMW Murdo Shop; Todd Gullickson, Driver of DT 374; Jim Lolley, Unit 391 Supervisor.

Belle Fourche  - Art DeKnikker
Submitted By: Family and Friends of Art DeKnikker (Faith/Bison)

      

Watch the Black Hills Fox "Black Hills Back Story" to see Art Deknikker's family and friends explain why they nominated Art for this contest!

Submitted by: Marion Goehring (Herreid)

  

Pictured with Marion:

• Mark Bates – Lead Highway Maintenance Worker (Herreid)
• Steve Deibert – Highway Maintenance Worker (Herreid)
• Dale Weisbeck – Highway Maintenance Worker (Herreid)