Multiple fire trucks pulling up in front of your home usually signals that urgent help was needed. But the three hook-and-ladder trucks and three fire chiefs that arrived at the home of Braden Bassinger, a student at Red House Run Elementary School, were there with nothing but good news.
Braden and his family were participating in a Jan. 12 virtual recognition ceremony for Baltimore County Fire Department’s annual fire safety poster contest when the caravan arrived to surprise him with the grand prize for his entry.
The contest, open only to Grade 3 Baltimore County Public Schools students, had the theme “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.”
For his award-winning poster, Braden received a basket full of prizes, including a T-shirt customized with his poster design.
This year’s contest honorees are:
1st Place – Braden Bassinger, Red House Run Elementary
2nd Place – Olivia Faint, Sparks Elementary
3rd Place – Gavin Edelson, Jacksonville Elementary
4th Place – Jaiden Cox, Red House Run Elementary
5th Place – Olivia Drysdale, Glenmar Elementary
Honorable Mention:
Alisonclare Arcipe, Glenmar Elementary
Elliana Cunnington, Sparks Elementary
Jane Dudderar, Fifth District Elementary
Rory Fox, Summit Park Elementary
Khloe Funes-Nievves, Red House Run Elementary
Grace Hallengren, Fifth District Elementary
Anna Harris, Fifth District Elementary
Durga Hebbar, Lutherville Laboratory
Guy Hurley, Jacksonville Elementary
Amirah Jones, Orems Elementary
Elizabeth Leber, Jacksonville Elementary
James Manigault, Glenmar Elementary
Giada Mentzer, Fifth District Elementary
Daniel Njiri, Orems Elementary
Sophie Razumovsky, Summit Park Elementary
Samantha Schneyer, Summit Park Elementary
Scarlett VanBuskirk, Orems Elementary
Sama Zaki, Lutherville Laboratory
Both County Executive John Olszewski and Baltimore County Fire Chief Joanne R. Rund participated in the virtual event. Among those on hand for Braden’s surprise were staff from the BCPS Office of Visual Arts and Parkville High School Assistant Principal Willis Spencer, a member of the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department.
“It was quite the parade,” said Sherri Fisher, BCPS visual arts coordinator. “It was one of the best things I have ever been a part of. The pure joy of the celebration was just perfect.”
Prizes for the contest winners were sponsored by the Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 1311, and Baltimore County Volunteer Firefighters Association.
