Smokey Bear & Eagles promoting fire prevention

McKenzie High’s Jonathan Mahody and Sydney King are being featured on posters promoting fire safety and prevention.

As you travel around the McKenzie Bridge community, keep an eye out for the new green and blue posters with Smokey and two local high school students. These posters are part of the McKenzie River Ranger District’s “Smokey and the Eagles” program that rewards outstanding student athletes while highlighting the importance of fire prevention practices. Each year, two students who demonstrate a high level of community and athletic involvement, as well as hold a high grade point average, are selected to appear in the posters.

This year’s winners are Jona-than Mahody and Sydney King. Both students play a variety of sports, have high grade point averages and volunteer in the community.

“This poster creates a connection between McKenzie High School and fire safety that young kids can look up to and model themselves after,” wrote Sydney.

Sydney completed high school with a G.P.A. of 4.11 and was on the basketball, volleyball, ran cross county and golf teams for her school. She also instructed youth at Kiddie Camp as well as in the Tokatee Junior golf program for several years.

Besides playing basketball, football and running track, Jonathan helped teach at vacation bible school and volunteered to help feed the hungry. He also served as his class president while maintaining a G.P.A. of 3.31.

“Participating in the Smokey and Eagles poster represents how much I care about the community and provides the younger kids with a positive role model,” wrote Jonathan.

To be chosen, students filled out an application and submitted it to their high school in February. Then, the McKenzie River Ranger District worked in conjunction with McKenzie High to review the applications and select the best candidates. The fourth graders, who received a visit from a fire prevention educator earlier in the year, submitted slogan ideas for the poster. This year’s theme, submitted by Ashley Pettner, is: “Make Sure Your Campfire is Out Before You Leave It.” Once the posters are designed and printed, the McKenzie River Ranger District distributes them to local businesses to display.

“We are proud to be able to honor the accomplishments of these talented students, as well as share an important message about fire prevention,” said Randy Harbick, Fire Management Officer for the McKenzie River Ranger District.

Photo courtesy USFS

McKenzie River Reflections