We are thrilled to announce that third grade student Arya Hamidzadeh, who lives in Colchester and Huntington, has earned 1st Place and the calendar cover selection in the 2026 Robert Howe Fire Safety Calendar Contest, hosted by the Vermont Division of Fire Safety.
This year, 13 schools across Vermont submitted 382 pieces of artwork, all created by third grade students. The pieces were evaluated by more than 90 voting participants, who judged each entry on accuracy, creativity, and how effectively the artwork communicated monthly fire safety themes. For fairness and anonymity, school names and artist names were removed from all entries during the review process.
From this highly competitive pool, only 13 First Place winners and 13 Honorable Mentions were selected for inclusion in the statewide calendar. Arya’s artwork not only earned one of those coveted First Place spots but was also chosen for the front cover.
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- Mrs. Baker, Ara, and Mr. Moore
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- Mrs. Baker, Adam Strong, Mr. Moore, Arya, and Ekaterina Strong
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- Farid Hamidzadeh, Mrs. Baker, Arya, and Mr. Moore
We proudly recognized Arya during school announcements yesterday morning. Arya’s parents joined us for this special moment, making the celebration even more meaningful as we honored his talent and dedication.
As part of this achievement, Arya and his family have been invited to attend the official awards ceremony at the Vermont State House on Friday, December 12, 2025, beginning at 1:00 pm. Winners will be recognized by the Vermont Division of Fire Safety.
We are incredibly proud of you, Arya. Thank you for representing Mater Christi School with such creativity and excellence.