NWS Riverton WY - Wyoming Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest

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For the third year in a row, the 4th grade class from Worland's East Side Elementary School had a student place in the top four spots in the state's annual Wyoming Severe Weather Awareness Week Poster Contest. In fact, this year the top four places were swept by the talented students of East Side.

Lorraine Loschen's fourth grade class has made a habit of dominating the annual contest in recent years. In 2002, her class had the top three finishers. This year they went one step beyond that, with a fourth place finish by Patricia Shelp. Fourth place earned Patricia a NOAA Weather Radio and a certificate from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Riverton. Third place was garnered by Erin Lockard who claimed a certificate and a $50 Patriot Savings Bond. Nicole Madden took home second place honors, which was recognized with a certificate and a $75 Patriot Savings Bond. The big winner of the day was Josh Vermeulen, who was joined by his family at the ceremony. Josh's poster earned him a $100 Patriot Savings Bond and a framed certificate from the NWS office in Riverton.

2003 Poster Contest Winners - Front, from left, Josh Vermeulen, Patricia Shelp, Nicole Madden, and Erin Lockard. Accompanying the winners in the back row are from left, NWS Riverton Forecaster Chuck Farmer, teacher Lorraine Loschen, NWS Riverton Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chris Jones, and Washakie County Emergency Management Director Chuck Mischke. Photo courtesy of Jeanette Johnson, Northern Wyoming Daily News.

NWS Riverton Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chris Jones commented that, "We're excited about the opportunity Mrs. Loschen provides her students to learn about weather, and to get recognition for her students." The entire school gathered in the gymnasium to honor the students and their talented teacher. Before the end of the ceremony, Chuck Mischke, Washakie County Emergency Management Director, presented Mrs. Loschen with her own NOAA Weather Radio for her efforts to promote weather education in the classroom.
"You teachers don't get thanked enough," said Mischke, a former school teacher of 32 years. The students were invited by NWS RIverton Forecaster Chuck Farmer to visit the NWS facility in Riverton. Who knows, there just might be one or two budding meteorologists in the bunch!

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