LIMA, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Transportation has announced the District 1 winners of its annual Paint-the-Plow program after voting ended earlier this week. 

Wyandot County's Carey High School and Putnam County's Fort Jennings High School took home the top prizes. 

What You Need To Know

  • In total, 23 schools submitted plow designs

  • Wyandot County's Carey High School and Putnam County's Fort Jennings High School took the top prizes

  • Carey High School's plow earned 888 Facebook votes for the People's Choice award

"This year's Paint the Plow designs are outstanding, with creative safety messages and bright designs that will shine through the winter gloom," said Chris Hughes, ODOT District 1 Deputy Director.

Carey High School painted K9 Nigel, a facility dog who works with school resource officer Deputy Ryan McKinnon and the Wyandot Sheriff's Office, and a safety message reminding driver to "Paws and Follow the Laws." The plow earned with most votes via Facebook with 888 total likes, shares and comments earning the school the People's Choice Award. 

Meanwhile, Fort Jennings took a patriotic approach with an eagle design that caught the attention of ODOT employees, earning the ODOT Choice award. Fort Jennings also took second in the People's Choice contest with 521 votes captured on Facebook.

Fort Jennings students Maggie Pothast, Sophia Schaefer, Kailyn Landwehr, Alexis Geise, Ava Knippen, Kylie Will, and advisor Dawn Hedrick stand behind their patriotic plow. (ODOT)

Taking third place in the People's Choice was the Mohawk Preschool with 501 votes for their plow featuring drawings and handprints. 

(ODOT)

For the ODOT's Choice category, Ada High School in Hancock County and Fairview High School in Defiance County tied for second place.

ODOT District 1 has held the competition since 2014, with virtual competitions being held in 2020 and 2021. This year 23 schools participated from District 1's eight counties including Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Wyandot.

ODOT employees also picked the top plow from each county:

  • Allen County: Lima Central Catholic High School
  • Defiance County: Central Local School - Fairview High School
  • Hancock County: Cory Rawson High School & McComb High School
  • Hardin County: Ada High School
  • Paulding County: Wayne Trace High School
  • Putnam County: Jennings High School
  • Van Wert County: Crestview FFA Chapter and Crestview Art Club
  • Wyandot County: Carey High School

All plow entries can be viewed on the ODOT District 1 Facebook page.