By Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Town of LaSalle Public Works Department and Jack Frost the Snowplow visited Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School to celebrate the grade one students who won this year’s Name the Snowplow contest.
The event was joyous, as students posed for photos with the newly named snowplow, enjoyed candy dispensed from the plow, and took turns sitting in the driver’s seat. The memorable visit highlighted the excitement surrounding the community-driven contest.
In September, LaSalle elementary school grade one students were invited to participate by submitting potential names for the town’s newest snowplow. Voting for the winning name took place at the LaSalle Truck or Treat event on Oct. 26 at the Vollmer Complex, where the name “Jack Frost” was officially announced.
“This is the second year that we have held this contest,” said Mark Beggs, Manager of Roads and Parks.
“We wanted to make it a fun contest all around by involving the local schools, holding the voting at a unique Town event that could feature the snowplow, and congratulating the winning students with a school visit. Seeing the kids’ smiling faces is why we chose this exciting way to name the plow again this year.”
The town’s single-axle snowplow, which will be used for winter road maintenance throughout LaSalle, proudly displays the name “Jack Frost.” Other creative entries in this year’s contest included “Polar Bear,” “C3-P Snow,” “Super-neige,” and “Bumble.”
Last year, École élémentaire Monseigneur-Augustin-Caron won the inaugural contest, naming their snowplow “Sonic le chasse-neige.” The annual contest continues to foster community engagement and excitement as the town gears up for winter.