No town has snowplows as cool as Casselton! What began as a mundane task of painting snowplow blades has turned into a vibrant community project, thanks to the creative efforts of Central Cass high school students. When the City of Casselton needed to refresh their snowplow blades, Public Works Supervisor Will Lipp had a great idea: involve the local students in the project.

Lipp reached out to the art department at Central Cass High School, and art teacher Lauren Johnson eagerly took up the challenge. "Of course, we said yes!" said Johnson. Students from grades 10 to 12 participated, submitting designs and voting as a class on the best ones. The class then worked together to bring the winning designs to life. The biggest hurdle? Learning to work with the paint, which was messy but ultimately a lot of fun.

The Winning Designs

Nathan Knuth’s Snowy Scene

Sophomore Nathan Knuth's design was one of the selected masterpieces. His snowplow blade features snowflakes, a person with a trailing scarf, and Casselton's iconic water tower. "I wanted to depict what community means to me in Casselton," Nathan explained. "The scarf ties the two blades together, representing how our community is knit together. The water tower is a recognizable symbol for everyone in Casselton."

Nathan appreciated the community aspect of the project. "While painting at school, teachers and kids were curious and gave lots of compliments. The project really made me feel part of the community. Plus, it only took about five hours to complete with the help of my classmates!"

Isabelle Dutchuk’s Sunshine and Water Tower

Senior Isabelle Dutchuk chose an abstract approach, incorporating sunshine and the Casselton water tower into her design. "The idea just came to me," Isabelle said. "I wanted something that represents Casselton, so I thought of our water tower and the sun shining on it at the reservoir, where I’ve made many beautiful memories."

Isabelle worked with a team of about six students to paint her design, receiving positive feedback from the community. "Many people told me how cool it turned out and learned that I love art because of this public project."

A Collaborative Effort

Though the designs were student creations, the project was a group effort. The students dedicated about 15 hours to the project, learning new painting techniques and working together to transfer their designs onto the blades. Casselton Hardware Hank supplied the paint, contributing to this community initiative.

The newly painted snowplows are ready to tackle the winter season, showcasing the creativity and community spirit of Casselton. As these plows clear the streets, they’ll not only keep the roads safe but also bring a splash of color and local pride to every snowfall.