Mass. launches 'Name A Snowplow' contest for local students

It's snow joke: Local students will have the opportunity to flex their creative muscles and suggest possible names for 12 snowplows that will be used to clear roads this winter.

In its new “Name A Snowplow” contest, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is inviting students up to grade eight to submit ideas for naming the plows.

“This contest is a fun way to celebrate winter and recognize the hard work that is performed by hundreds of employees and vendors statewide who work around the clock during major weather events,” Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said in a press release. “We want to raise awareness of this work and to give kids and residents a sense of connection to the Highway Division and the public servants working to keep residents safe and the economy moving during snowstorms."

A selection panel made up of Department of Transportation employees will choose two elementary school classroom winners from each of the six Highway Division districts. Each district will have one winner from kindergarten through grade four, and one from grade five through grade eight.

Winners, who will be announced Jan. 6, will be invited to participate in a snowplow unveiling event.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Dec. 23 and can be submitted through an online portal. There is no limit to the number of applications that can be submitted per school, and the winning students' classrooms will each receive a $100 gift card for school supplies.

Vermont held a similar contest for elementary school students a year ago. The three winning names were: "Plowy McPlowface," "Jennifer Snowpez" and "Obi-Wan KenSNOWbi."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Mass. DOT launches 'Name A Snowplow' contest for local students