Saltonstall Kindergarteners Have Winner With 'Chicken Nugget' Dinner

SALEM, MA — Salem Saltonstall kindergarteners scored a winner with their reference to a tasty chicken dinner as the name of the new Salem Department of Public Services vehicle.

The city's new garbage truck is painted to represent its name "Chicken Nugget."

In December, elementary school students from across Salem Public Schools submitted suggested names for the new vehicle. The Mayor’s Office narrowed the list down to 12 finalists. An online survey was then issued to the broader Salem community, and everyone was encouraged to vote.

While the city said all 12 names were strong contenders, two strong front-runners emerged early on: The Hunka Junka Truck, and Chicken Nugget. Chicken Nugget pulled off the win, garnering 374 of the total 1,077 votes cast by the community.

The winning entry was submitted by Mrs. Corriveau's kindergarten class at Saltonstall Elementary School, and specifically by kindergarten student Elian Soto-Villanueva. At Tuesday morning's unveiling, students were presented with yellow safety vests and chicken nugget-shaped keychains by DPS Director Ray Jodoin, as well as congratulations and thanks from Mayor Dominick Pangallo.

"I want to extend my gratitude to every class that submitted their ideas for names for the new truck, and to everyone who voted on them," Pangallo said. "I'm also appreciative of the city staff — from my office, the Salem Children's Alliance, and the Department of Public Services — who made this fun event possible.

"We're always happy to engage students with their local government and with the civic work happening to make their city a better place for everyone. Congratulations to Mrs. Corriveau's class."

"This is one of many great opportunities that we can do to connect with our young residents and show them that they can act, think, and succeed as active citizens, along with building Salem pride, said Ray Jodoin, Director of Public Services. "Nothing is more satisfying than seeing everything coming full circle and giving back."

“Civic engagement starts at a young age,” said Sarah Roy, Director of the Salem Children's Alliance, “In Salem, we want our youngest residents to understand that they have the power to make a positive impact on their community. Their imagination and creativity bring so much joy to Salem and are a part of what makes our community special."

The city is hoping that this fun community initiative underscores the idea that it is never too early to start engaging with the community and to share our ideas and voices and that at any age, it is possible to make a positive difference.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)