Call it a means to an end. To teach young Vermonters about the important work done each year by maintenance crews to keep our roads safe in winter, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) invites school children from across Vermont to “Name a Plow.”
This year four schools in the Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union (BRSU) raised their hand to submit a moniker for a snow removal vehicle. Students from each school created their own process and came up with a name. And the results are now in:
Currier Memorial School: Nightmare Before Christmas
The Dorset School: Dorset Dozer
Flood Brook School: Power Plower
Manchester Elementary Middle School: Chilly Willy
On Thursday, November 7th, DOT crews showed up at each participating school with their newly named and branded snow plow. The snow plowers introduced the vehicle to the students and took inquiring questions from curious youngsters:
How big is the plow’s gas tank? It’s a 100-gallon tank that runs on diesel fuel.
How many miles to the gallon? A mere 4.2 miles to the gallon.
How much does the truck weigh? 20,000 pounds — and that’s before adding in the weight of the front and wing plows and the 12 tons of salt that fits in the truck bed.
Why is the snow plow bright orange? The better to see it in a blinding snowstorm.
The principals and staff love the snow plow naming tradition almost as much as their students.
"It’s important that our students learn more about how others keep us safe in the winter, “says The Dorset School Principal Rosanna Moran. “It’s also a chance to showcase our student creativity with words and humor, as well as an opportunity to engage with the broader community.”
(Photo above: Flood Brook third graders submitted the name Power Plower for their snow plow.)
Current students designate "Nightmare Before Christmas" as the name of their snow plow.
The students from MEMS meet the "Chilly Willy" snow plow.
These Dorset School students point proudly to the Dorset Dozer!