Leechburg High School enters PennDOT 'Paint the Plow' competition opening soon for public voting

The blade of a snowplow was quite a different canvas for Leechburg High School senior Jasa Oliver to work on.

“I usually do traditional paper and pencil or digital art on my computer,” said Oliver, 18, of Gilpin. “It was very different, especially the proportion, the size and the curve of the plow.”

Oliver was one of three Leechburg students who created their school’s entry in PennDOT’s annual “Paint the Plow” contest this year. It now is up for public voting against eight other entries.

Voting will begin Monday and be open through Dec. 11 on PennDOT’s website. The plow getting the most votes will be declared the “Fan Favorite.”

Leechburg is in PennDOT District 10, which covers Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson counties.

Leechburg’s entry is up against others from Allegheny- Clarion Valley High School, Brookville High School, Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School, Jefferson County-Dubois Area Vocational-Technical School, Keystone High School, Knoch High School, Penns Manor High School and United High School.

Students painted the plows based on the theme of “Put Down the Device in Snow and Ice.” PennDOT said it was chosen to draw attention to the need for motorists to give driving their full attention and eliminate distractions, such as cellphones, especially during winter weather.

Leechburg art teacher Shayle Prorok said her school has entered the competition before but has yet to win.

PennDOT brought a plow blade to the school for students to work on.

“They had to do it out in our parking lot, because it obviously is a snowplow that they use to plow the roads. It is way too big and heavy to come into the facility. It had to be outdoors,” she said. “You don’t think about how big they are until you see one up close and personal — and you’re supposed to paint on it.”

Oliver said she came up with the design, while junior Jennifer Hanz, 16, and sophomore Sophia Charles, 15, helped with painting.

Oliver said she chose a “retro” design for their entry, which includes an old-style telephone and its handset with the twisted cord running across the top of the blade.

She has seen a phone like that at her grandparents’ home.

Prorok said it took the three students a little over a month to paint the plow blade, working on it during several class periods a day.

“I really think it came out well. It was a different concept, a unique concept. I really like it,” Prorok said. “They are in a 1950s car that looks very cartoony and pop arty in outer space. I thought it was a good take on it.”

Oliver said painting the plow blade took a lot of time and effort.

“There was a day we spent the entire day painting,” Oliver said. “I think it turned out really good. I like the colors. There’s a lot of details.

“It’s definitely a different design. A lot of schools have their mascot or logo,” she said. “I think this is something unique.”

PennDOT already has taken back the blade. The plow blades painted in the program will be used on the roads this winter.

Other PennDOT districts

PennDOT District 11, which covers Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties, announced the winners of its “Paint the Plow” contest in November.

Out of 11 high schools that entered, both winners were from Beaver County — Freedom Area High School won fan favorite, determined by online voting, while New Brighton was the judge’s pick, decided by a panel of PennDOT representatives.

The other schools that entered in District 11 were Beaver Falls, East Allegheny, Hopewell, Montour, Neshannock, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Shenango, Upper St. Clair and Woodland Hills.

PennDOT District 12, which covers Fayette, Green, Washington and Westmoreland counties, had no schools participate in the contest this year, spokeswoman Melissa Maczko said.

“We look forward to having increased participation next year,” she said.