The 1997 Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Fire Prevention awards banquet was held recently at the Southside Fire Station. The 4-H Fire Prevention Program educated over 700 Tioga County fifth-graders who learned how a fire burns, how to use a fire extinguisher, how to develop home escape plans, and other critical information to home fire safety.

Participating students developed exhibits as part of their learning experience, and winners were recognized on a school level. School winners were invited to the county-wide awards banquet to represent their schools and compete for two $50.00 savings bonds.

School winners were:

Apalachin Elementary

Nicole Alvarez, Susan Beaudoin, and Lindsay Rapp

Candor Elementary

Amy Cole, Bethany Robinson, and Ashley Tucker

Newark Valley Elementary

Parker Thomas, Chris Branca, Corey Murtha, Tiffany Howe, Zachary David, Melissa Engbith, and Andrew Lindsay

Nichols Elementary

Angela Rogers, Tim Traue, Justina Reig, Joshua Peterson, Mark Wiseman, and Cody Morrison

Owego Elementary

Tommy Woodburn, Ockie Camin, Emily Stiles, Whitney Morse, Jocelyn DuPuis, and Liam Eschler

Van Etten Elementary

Kimberly Bailey

Waverly Elementary

Shaun Eddy, Brandon Zimmer, Jordan Mensch, Ashley Navaie, and Michaline McLaughlin

County-wide winners were:

Whitney Morse and Jocelyn DuPuis, both from Owego Elementary School.

The banquet was also a memorial to Mr. Don Champion, the "Father of Fire Prevention" in Tioga County.

The 4-H Fire Prevention Program is sponsored by The Partners Insurance and Financial Services Company, Lockheed Martin Federal Systems, and the Owego Fire Department.