KEARNEY—Paige Pearson, 9, a third grade student from Park Elementary in Kearney, won a countywide contest to have the honor of her drawing become this year’s “Slow Down in Our Neighborhood” signs.  Pearson’s design features a boy and a girl waiting to cross the street next to a stop sign, along with a school bus full of happy school children. The words “Slow Down in Our Neighborhood” remind all drivers of the reason for the signs. Pearson is the daughter of Stacie and Leon Pearson of Kearney. The contest, sponsored by Good Samaritan Hospital, is open to all Buffalo County kindergarten through fifth grade students, and helps school children promote and learn safe pedestrian and driving practices.  “The kids do a great job drawing sign designs. It’s so hard to select one to be the winner because they are all great in their own way. Thank you to each child who participated as well as the teachers and the schools who make the contest possible,” said Holly Warth, prevention trauma nurse coordinator for Good Samaritan Hospital. Signs are available for $7 from Good Samaritan Hospital’s Sure Cure Gift Shop.  Participating schools also receive a number of signs to distribute. Individual winners from participating schools for the sign contest are:

Bryant – Danielle Santistevan, Central – Summer Martinez, Emerson – Rhiannon Nelson, Glenwood – Brooke Griss, Kenwood – Peyton Gibbs, Meadowlark – Matthew Stute, Northeast – Brock Hale, Riverdale – Macy Nickel, Stone – Macquel Melroy, Windy Hills – Bo Daake