The 2025 Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest is officially underway. The contest, sponsored by Nebraska Association of Emergency Management, National Weather Service, Nebraska National Guard, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and League of Nebraska Municipalities is part of the annual Severe Weather Awareness Week effort put together by emergency management directors/coordinators across the state.
The poster contest is open to all third-grade students in Nebraska public and private schools, as well as home-schooled students. Teachers are encouraged to have students participate while teaching them about hazards of severe weather in Nebraska. While not specifically designed to promote tornado awareness, tornadoes are the most common theme chosen for posters. Lightning and flooding are also good topic choices.
The first-place winner in the state contest wins a $125 gift card. The second-place winner receives a $100 gift card, and the third-place winner receives a $75 gift card. The Nebraska Association of Emergency Management provides the first, second and third place gift card awards. The fourth-place poster winner receives a $50 gift card sponsored by the League of Nebraska Municipalities.
Contest rules are as follows:
1. Poster artists must be a third-grade pupil in any Nebraska private, public or home school.
2. Entries must be related to the theme of severe weather safety and will be judged on originality, effort and accuracy. The posters should have a clear preparedness/weather safety message included. The slogan is as important as the art. All entries must be on an 11″ x 17″ sheet of white paper providing a 1-inch border to allow for matting the winning posters. Any medium may be used, but please do not use glitter. Only one entry is allowed per pupil and no joint entries (posters by more than one person) will be accepted.
3. All entries must be received by the local Emergency Management Director/Coordinator on or before February 7, 2025. A list of directors/coordinators can be found at www.naem.us or nema.nebraska.gov. Remember to allow enough time for mailed items to get where they need to be.
4. Each entry MUST INCLUDE the following information on the back side of the poster:
Student name: __________________________________________________________ Age:_____________
Home address: __________________________________ Home Phone: ___________________________
School: _______________________________________________________________________________________
School address: ______________________________________________________________________________
Nebraska County where school is located: _________________________________________________
5. Teachers are encouraged to contact the local emergency management director to assist in the selection of the “top three” entries from their school. If the local director is unavailable or unknown, please contact Brian Woldt, poster contest chairman, (308) 324-2070.
6. First, second, third and fourth place winners will be notified by telephone or mail. The four winners and their parents/guardians will be invited to the Nebraska State Capitol in March for the presentation of their awards and be recognized by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen.
7. Any questions regarding the 2025 Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest should be directed to the local emergency management director/coordinator or to Brian Woldt at (308) 324-2070, email brian.woldt@dawsoncountyne.gov.
Contest rules and other information can also be found on the Nebraska Association of Emergency Management website at www.naem.us or on the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency website at nema.nebraska.gov. Poster judging will be done by representatives of the contest’s sponsors: Nebraska Association of Emergency Management, National Weather Service, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska National Guard and League of Nebraska Municipalities.