Fayetteville Academy Third-Graders Win Fire Department Tile Painting Contest

Third-graders from Fayetteville Academy took home top honors in this year's Fayetteville Fire Department "Paint the Tile" Contest. Ms. Ashley Lee's art class beat out four other schools, earning a spot on the walls of Fire Station Six.

The winners got a pizza party. Sparky came. So did the Station Six crew. Then students rode through the Fayetteville Christmas Parade with firefighters, showing off their tile to crowds lining the streets.

"The Paint the Tile Contest is an impactful way for our firefighters to engage with students while reinforcing the importance of fire safety," said Fire Chief Kevin Dove, per a media release. "By learning about fire prevention at school, students become strong messengers at home, sharing what to do to prevent fires and how to respond safely."

Every year, one station invites third-graders within its coverage zone to paint ceiling tiles with original artwork. The finished pieces hang in the station where residents can see them when they visit. Only schools within the host station's area get picked.

Stations take turns hosting. This gives different neighborhoods a shot at participating. Station Six selected five schools from nearby areas to compete this time around.

The contest started back in 2021. Firefighters wanted an interactive program that would bring them closer to kids. They hoped students might grow interested in firefighting careers while learning how to stay safe around fires.

Ms. Ashley Lee's class will see their tile hanging in Station Six for years to come. Their painted ceiling piece serves as a permanent reminder of what these young artists created and the safety lessons they absorbed during the process.