'He's famous.' Tuslaw third grader lauded for first place fire safety poster
TUSCARAWAS TWP. ‒ Nolan Ratliff beamed in front of his classmates.
The 9-year-old was recognized as the winner of the Ohio State Fire Marshal's fire safety poster contest.
Massillon fire officials and Jesse Baughman, of the state office, visited Tuslaw Elementary School this week where Ratliff is a third grader to recognize his accomplishments.
Baughman, a fire life safety prevention officer for the state, said Ratliff's work was selected by Massillon fire officials to be submitted to the state contest.
The fire marshal's office received about 150 posters from students across the state.
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"Myself and eight others go around and pick out the one we like," Baughman said. "Everyone liked yours."
Ratliff's entry focused on having a plan in case of a house fire. The poster features a home on fire with a family standing outside under the saying, "Fire won't wait, plan your escape."
The image will be used by the fire marshal's office to help promote fire safety, Baughman said.
Nolan Ratliff Day in Massillon
Ratliff earned a blue ribbon, a certificate from the state and a smoke alarm.
In addition, Massillon Fire Chief Matt Heck presented Ratliff with a proclamation from Massillon Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry proclaiming April 12 "Nolan Ratliff Day."
"(We) applaud you for your outstanding artwork and dedication to fire safety," the proclamation reads. "You're a shining star."
He also received a certificate from the fire department and $50 gift card for "V-Bucks" for the video game Fortnite.
With each accommodation and prize, Ratliff's smile grew bigger as his classmates cheered him on.
"He's famous," one yelled while another told his friend to take a bow.
Ratliff said he was in shock when he learned he had placed at the top of the contest, adding he spent some time trying to decide on what to draw.
"You need to escape or you are going to get injured," he added.
Teacher Lori Longworth said her students have participated in the contest in the past. When the opportunity came up this year, she jumped at the chance because another one of her students won another poster contest earlier in the year.
"I thought, 'Why not give it a second shot?'" she said. "Some of them were really good and thought we might have a chance. I didn't know it was statewide content. It's pretty exciting. He's a good kid."
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This article originally appeared on The Independent: Nolan Ratliff garners first place honor in state fire marshal contest
