Mandan, N.D. – Students at Roosevelt Elementary School in Mandan are helping prepare for the upcoming winter season by adding a splash of color to a city snowplow. In a partnership with Mandan Public Works, elementary students recently used acrylic paint markers to decorate a plow that will soon clear neighborhood streets in the city.
This initiative marks the second consecutive year Mandan Public Works has collaborated with local schools on the project, with each participating school receiving a plow to be adorned by its students. The goal is to bring a sense of community and cheer to residents during the colder months.
Each child at Roosevelt Elementary was given a distinct circle on the snowplow blade to fill with their unique design. While a variety of motifs emerged, many students opted for messages of positivity. Fifth grader Calliope Crawford created a sunset-themed design, featuring a warm “Hello.” Crawford explained her inspiration came from hallway art at the school, where she saw “sunset colors” in scarecrow backgrounds. She connected the “hello” message to the idea of “all different people are saying like hello” and greeting others through diverse expressions. Fellow fifth grader Violet Brashears echoed the sentiment of positive messaging, stating her design was intended “just kind to show like that it is just kind.”
Shane O’Keefe, the director of Mandan Public Works, highlighted the community aspect of the project. O’Keefe stated that the colorful plows offer a visible connection for residents, allowing children to point out their contributions. He hopes the artwork will “bring a little bit more joy” to those who see the snowplows in action.
School staff at Roosevelt Elementary noted the project fostered unity among the school community. Principal Nicole Schaff praised the city’s outreach efforts to local schools. Schaff specifically mentioned the broad participation, stating that “even our school nurse helped decorate this.”
For many Mandan residents, the sight of a snowplow signals freezing temperatures and challenging road conditions. The intent behind the student-decorated plow is to counteract this feeling, aiming to “warm the hearts” of community members who view the cheerful messages and designs on the plows. Mandan Public Works confirmed that after the paint fully cures, the newly decorated plow will undergo final preparations. It will then be ready to deploy onto Mandan neighborhood streets as soon as the first snowflakes begin to fall, contributing to both road safety and community spirit.
