Each year, the 911 communications division of the Winchester Police Department conducts the local 911 for Kids program around the community catered to the third-grade classes at each local elementary school.

Over the course of September and October this year, staff met with each class and conducted an hour-long presentation which focused on how to recognize and identify an emergency/situational awareness, how to call 911 on all phone variants, types of questions they will be asked by 911 dispatchers, the importance of properly answering all of the questions asked by 911 dispatchers and questions from the students.

The local 911 coloring contest allows any third-grade student in the community who wishes to participate to draw and color a page capturing the importance and proper usage of the 911 system. Once these entries are submitted, they are voted on internally and the top three entries are decided.

This year’s winners are:

— First place: Jonas McCormick, Calvary Christian School, Lisa Turner’s class. Jonas won a certificate of achievement, a $35 Walmart gift card and a pizza party with first-responders for his class.

— Second place: Kaliahna Seiferheld, Strode Station Elementary, Amy Handshoe’s class. Kaliahna won a certificate of achievement and a $30 Walmart gift card.

— Third place: Emily Howton, Calvary Christian School, Lisa Turner’s class. Emily won a certificate of achievement and a $25 Walmart gift card.