
Fifth grader Taya McCallum’s colored diagram featuring escape routes from the home is among the six posters honored as grand champions in the competition.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
“Have two ways out” was the theme of this year’s countywide fire safety poster contest, the grand champion winners of which were announced this weekend.
School children around Lewis County participated and prizes were awarded on Saturday by Riverside Fire Authority Assistant Chief Rick Mack at the Centralia Outlet mall, according to Napavine-area Fire Lt. Laura Hanson.
More than 120 first place posters were displayed at the mall.
The grand champions – one from each grade level – will get their names engraved on the “Capt. Brian Slater Ward” plaque which is permanently displayed at the Chehalis Fire Department.
Assistant Chief Mack says the top six winners this year are:
• First grade: Dakota Lafferty, Ford’s Prairie Elementary, Ms. Rakes’ class
• Second grade: Ben Puris, Jefferson Lincoln Elementary, Ms. Nederland class
• Third grade: Makensee Taliaferro-Bouge, of Napavine Elementary, Ms. Teitzel’s class
• Fourth grade: Kollin Jurek, of Pe Ell Elementary, Ms. Jurek’s class
• Fifth grade: Taya McCallum, of St Joseph Catholic School, Ms. Cleary’s class
• Sixth grade: Emily Elswick, of White Pass Elementary, Ms. Keniston’s class

From left to right, Firefighter-Paramedic Jennifer Ternan, and grand champions from each grade: Makensee Taliaferro-Bouge, Ben Puris, Emily Elswick ,Taya McCallum and Kollin Jurek, with Assistant Chief Rick Mack. Not pictured, Dakota Lafferty.