Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly recently honored South Huntington School District student Andy Ghibaudi as his District winner of this year’s “Be Pool Smart” poster contest. Established in 2007, the annual competition invites elementary school students to promote the importance of pool safety and prevent accidental drowning by creating a poster that illustrates one or more safety tips.
Each year, one poster is selected from all of those submitted to be used as part of a countywide message from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services in its seasonal safety campaign. Entries were submitted by students from throughout Legislator Donnelly’s district with Andy’s being chosen as the local winner. He received a County Proclamation from Legislator Donnelly, joined by Andy’s Birchwood Intermediate School third grade teachers Ms. Bifulco and Ms. Duenas Pirrone, Assistant Principal Thomas Keogh and Principal Anthony Ciccarelli in a special presentation at the Melville school on June 6.
“The ‘Be Pool Smart’ poster contest is great way to remind and engage children about the importance of safety around swimming pools so they are truly able to just enjoy the fun of summer,” said Legislator Donnelly. “Andy’s poster stood out for its clarity and creativity, and I thank him for using his talents to help make this a safer summer for everyone.”