Half Hollow Hills Student Wins 'Be Pool Smart' Local Poster Contest

DIX HILLS, NY — Signal Hill Elementary School first grader Carissa Huang won the Suffolk County 17th Legislative District’s 2024 "Be Pool Smart" poster contest, Legislator Tom Donnelly's Office announced. Donnelly visited Huang at school to celebrate her win.

Established in 2007, the annual competition invites elementary school students to promote the importance of pool safety and prevent accidental drownings by creating a poster that illustrates one or more safety tips.

Each year, one poster is selected from all of those submitted to be used as part of a countywide message from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services in its seasonal safety campaign.

Entries were submitted by students from throughout Donnelly’s district with Carissa’s being chosen as the local winner. In a special presentation on June 14 in front of her Dix Hills classmates, she received a County Proclamation from Donnelly. Joining them were her parents, Jie Xia and Shiwei Huang, her teacher Catherine Lebowitz, Principal Dr. Maryann Fasciana and Half Hollow Hills School District Superintendent Dr. Patrick Harrigan.

"The 'Be Pool Smart' poster contest is a great opportunity to remind our youth about the important and critical role each of us plays in keeping safe in, on or around water," Donnelly said in a news release. "They not only learn themselves about ways to ensure safety, they also become the messengers for their friends and family members, enabling everyone to enjoy the fun of summer and avoid tragedies. Carissa’s poster stood out for its clarity and creativity, and I thank her for sharing her talents which I know will help make the summer safer for everyone."