The 1998 4-H Fire Prevention Awards Banquet, sponsored by the Partners Insurance & Financial Service Agency and the Owego Fire Department, was held on December 2 at the Campville Fire Station #1.

The following youth were selected by their instructor(s) to represent their schools and Fire Departments at the banquet:

Instructors - Tom Crannell & Stan Gillmeister.

Students - Jennifer Curly of Barton, Kara Dougherty of Candor, Andy Pfleghardt of Tioga Center, Ben Bullock of Tioga Center, Michael Davis of Owego.

Instructor - William M. Gallow, Jr. Students - Sarah Ammack of Van Etten, and Amanda Hinkle of Owego.

Instructors - Dan Whippo, Steve Gumaer, and Joan Gulick.

Students - Cody Thorpe, Steve White, Jonathan Szymaniak, Juan C. Pena, Sara Forbes, Joshua Skellet, and Tiffani Barth, all of Owego.

Instructors - Kurt Henninger, Raychel Henninger, Joe Adomiak, Sherry Asfoury, Bev Swaney, Mr. A. Motsko, Theresa Guido, Mr. & Mrs. George Wahl, Mr. & Mrs. Denny Liebe, and Sheli Frye.

Students - Courtney Burgess, Zachary Schweckendieck, Christine Carey, Sarah Hirko, Jake Cawley, Curtis Benner, all of Newark Valley, Justin Cloe of Berkshire, Stacey Thurston of Richford.

These students along with their parents were invited to the Fire Prevention banquet and received T-shirts. Phil Wiles, Richard Fink, and Ken Wolff were presented with $50 Savings Bonds for the top three outstanding projects.

This year's winners are: Sara Hirko of Newark Valley, Jonathan Szymaniak of Owego, and Curtis Benner of Newark Valley. Congratulations to all of the participants and a special thank you to all the teachers and instructors. Tioga County is a safer place because of this program and would not be possible without the dedication of these volunteers.