Kathleen Blaho’s fourth-grade class at St. Mary of the Hills School won a Massachusetts Department of Transportation plow-naming contest in December. On Wednesday, they were introduced to the plow that will bear the name they created — Ice S’now More. (Photo Courtesy St. Mary of the Hills School)
MILTON — Fourth grader Jeffrey Peters climbed into the snowplow driver’s seat. His classmates cheered and pumped their arms, urging a blast from the giant truck’s horn.
He gladly obliged, filling the St. Mary of the Hills campus with a thunderous honk. The rest of his class jumped and yelled and covered their ears, eager to take their turn climbing into the driver’s seat for a honk of their own.
They felt like this was their very own snowplow. They named it after all.
Kathleen Blaho’s fourth-grade class at St. Mary of the Hills School discovered in January that they had won a Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) plow-naming contest.
They’ve been waiting three long months to see the name they chose — Ice S’now More — emblazoned on the snowplow door. On Wednesday, March 26, MassDOT officials introduced the students to the truck they named, one of more than 200 plows in the department’s District 6 fleet.
“It really was a team effort,” Blaho said Wednesday morning. “All the students made suggestions, which we placed on our classroom’s whiteboard. We discussed how past winners’ names were plays on words, such as ‘Taylor Drift’ and ‘Snow Force One.’ From there, we chose a few that we made into more creative ideas. Overall, we submitted, I believe, six or seven ideas.”
Principal Suzanne Banach stood behind St. Mary of the Hills School watching her students pour their attention all over the Ice S’now More. One class at a time, youngsters posed in front of the plow holding tiny foam construction cones handed out by MassDOT officials.
“It’s awesome,” Principal Banach said. “The kids are just so jazzed about it! They won!”
This year’s “Name A Snowplow” contest for elementary and middle school students in Massachusetts was MassDOT’s third annual initiative. Out of 900 applicants, six fourth-grade winners were chosen (one from each of the department’s six districts).
“The winner ‘Ice S’now More’ began as ‘Ice No More’ and was suggested by Elizabeth Gattereau,” Blaho said. “When I asked Elizabeth how she came up with that name, she said, ‘Since it’s a snowplow, it will be moving away the ice. The ice will disappear once the plow scoops it up. ‘Ice No More’ became like s’mores … ‘Ice S’now More.’”
MassDOT also chose six winners from fifth through eighth grade, finding names for six additional plows.
“Maintaining safe and clear roads across Massachusetts during winter is no easy task,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We appreciate how educators are engaging their students in this fun competition that honors this vital public service. Congratulations to the winning classrooms, and we look forward to seeing your snowplows out in the field.”
Massachusetts Undersecretary of Transportation Hayes Morrison and MassDOT Highway District 6 Director John McInerney posed for photos and helped to unveil the plow’s new name. Blaho, herself, was bestowed the honor of removing the paper covering from the brand new “Ice S’now More” insignia. The kids each received a sticker featuring their winning entry.
“This contest is a great way for schools across the state to connect with the crews who work tirelessly to keep our roads clear each winter,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Thank you to everyone who took part in this contest, and congratulations to our winners.”
MassDOT launched the contest to celebrate the snow and ice season and recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during the winter season. Applications for the Snowplow Naming Contest were due by Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. The number of applications each school could submit was unlimited.
“It was nice to see how all the students worked together to come up with the initial names,” said Blaho. “It really showed them how to work together, be supportive of everyone’s ideas, and simply have fun while doing it.”
A selection panel composed of MassDOT employees chose two elementary/middle school classroom winners from each of the six Highway Division districts.
Winners were treated to a school visit by their freshly named plows, and a $100 gift card for the class. St. Mary of the Hills was the last plow visit of the year — the 36th plow named by students over the contest’s three-year history — just a week into spring. The trucks, however, with plows removed, will be out working all year long.
“The only disappointment they had was I told them we were not getting a class pet with the $100 gift card we received from MassDOT for winning,” said Blaho. “We will be purchasing a few board games and having a party/movie afternoon in the coming weeks.”
Click here for more information on MassDOT’s Snowplow Naming Contest.
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Fourth grader Jeffrey Peters climbed into the snowplow driver’s seat as his classmates cheered and pumped their arms, urging a blast from the giant truck’s horn. (Photo Courtesy St. Mary of the Hills School)
Fourth grader Ethan Chery climbed inside the truck. He showed off his new, foam MassDOT construction cone before he gave the horn a blast. (Photo Courtesy St. Mary of the Hills School)
St. Mary of the Hills School fourth and fifth grade teacher Kathleen Blaho peeled off the covering from the plow’s new name. Her fourth-grade class won a MassDOT contest, granting them naming rights. Their winning submission — Ice S’now More. (Photo Courtesy St. Mary of the Hills School)
State Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid presented the class with a Statehouse proclamation recognizing their achievement. (Photo Courtesy St. Mary of the Hills School)
St. Mary of the Hills School preschoolers posed for photos with the newly named snowplow. (Photo Courtesy St. Mary of the Hills School)
St. Mary of the Hills School preschoolers posed for photos with the newly named snowplow. (Photo Courtesy St. Mary of the Hills School)
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