The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is pleased to announce the District 2 winners of the Paint the Plow safety outreach contest.

Paint the Plow is a statewide outreach aimed at promoting winter driving safety and fostering appreciation for high school art programs and student creativity. Students are invited to paint a plow blade with an original design based on a provided theme. This year’s theme was “Use your reason when it’s freezin’.”

Galeton Area School of Potter County won the “Fan Favorite” award, which was determined by online voting through www.penndot.pa.gov/PaintthePlow.

Members of the public were invited to vote for their favorite plow from seven area high schools that entered in this year’s regional contest. Votes were accepted from December 9, through December 15, 2024. Galeton School received 348 votes to win the 2024-25 “Fan Favorite” honor.

The winner of the “Judges’ Pick” award was Elk County Catholic High School, which was determined through judging by PennDOT representatives.

During the winter weather season, the painted blades are used to maintain state-owned roadways.

Statewide, 76 schools participated in Paint the Plow and over 21,000 votes were cast. Photos of all the plows can be viewed on PennDOT’s Paint the Plow website.

Additionally, PennDOT reminds motorists to give plow trucks on the road plenty of space, staying at least six car lengths behind. There may be blind spots where it is difficult for the plow operator to see the smaller vehicle. Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a “plow train,” and keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle.