CENTRE COUNTY — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced the return of its annual Paint the Plow program, requesting that local youth participate.
The Paint the Plow program, whose 2024 theme is “Use your reason when it’s freezing,” challenges students to paint an original mural onto a PennDOT snowplow blade.
Students are encouraged to incorporate the statewide safety theme to promote winter driving safety. The program aims at fostering an appreciation for school art programs and student creativity, according to a release from PennDOT.
“The designated 2024 theme, ‘Use your reason when it’s freezing,’ was chosen to remind motorists to use caution when driving in the winter months, and to practice safe behavior while driving, including avoiding distractions, impairment and aggressive driving, and to always wear a seat belt,” a statement from PennDOT shared.
First started in 2015, the program now takes place in most counties across Pennsylvania, according to PennDOT. Within District 2, students from Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin and Potter counties are encouraged to participate.
To participate, students must have school officials complete and return an application to Steve Harmic, regional PennDOT coordinator in District 2, at sharmic@pa.gov. Upon completion of the application process, plow delivery or pick-up will be coordinated by county.
Photos of the painted plows will be uploaded onto the PennDOT website for the public to select a fan favorite. An additional Judge’s Pick award will be given to a plow selected by a panel of PennDOT officials.
According to PennDOT, plows will be judged on creativity and the incorporation of the designated safety message/theme.
For more information, visit PennDOT’s website.
