By Kerri Rempp
Sioux County Schools PIO
Buzz IceClear will come to the rescue on Nebraska highways this winter, plowing snow to keep drivers safe.
The plow received its name thanks to Sioux County fifth grader Emily Holmgren as part of the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s annual snowplow naming contest. Holmgren submitted the name as part of her class’ competition. Teacher Lora Andersen had her students make suggestions and then vote on their favorites.
“We had several good ones,” Andersen said.
Holmgren said her idea and one other – Teddy Snowsevelt – were submitted to the state for consideration. She learned NDOT selected Buzz IceClear from her teacher and said she was excited to know a plow would bear the name she submitted. The class will track their snowplow over the winter, Holmgren said.
The NDOT selected 16 names – two in each of its eight regions – for snowplows in its fleet. More than 2,400 names were submitted from 165 schools in 96 Nebraska communities. The selected names will be displayed on the plows, and the public can track them via Nebraska 511.
Sioux County students got to see the snowplow up close Oct. 20 during the award presentation recognizing Holmgren’s name and learned more about how snowplows keep highways clear.
