NORTH SMITHFIELD – With submissions in 2024 that included a department insignia on a hot cup of cocoa and a shark wearing a Santa hat, officials with the North Smithfield Police Department were convinced last Christmas that a first-time card contest should become an annual town tradition.
The department has asked students at North Smithfield Middle School to design their Christmas card for the 2025 season in a letter this week from Chief Tim Lafferty.
“As Christmas nears, we as a department have been discussing new ways to spread the holiday spirit,” noted Lafferty. “You will be able to create whatever art inspires you.”
The fun new tradition began last year with a contest open to the younger students at North Smithfield Elementary School. A total of 118 students submitted designs for the card, and Administrative Asst. Valerie Orellana and School Resource Officer Capt. Ellen Lamoreaux narrowed things down to the top eight, with officers asked to vote on their favorite.
The 2024 winner, designed by Everly Lopes, a third grade student at the time in Ms. DiOrio’s class, was sent out to every police department in the state.
“Wishing you a season filled warmth and cheer,” noted Lopes.
The design was later marked with the words “Happy Holidays from the men and women of the North Smithfield Police Department,” for a card exchange with agencies across Rhode Island.
Honorable mentions last year went to NSES students named Annie, Vera, Jack, Oaklyn, Zole, Wesley and Caleb.
This time, the contest will be open to students in grades 5 through 8, with submissions to be handed in to School Resource Officer Chrystal Lin- Cabral by Monday, Dec. 1.
“Teachers can feel free to run this contest in their classrooms, however they see fit and what works best with their curriculum,” wrote Lafferty.
Orellana noted the plan is to rotate each year between the older and younger students at the two schools.
“All their work gets displayed in our lobby all December as well for others to see,” Orellana said.
Guests are invited to visit the lobby of the station at 575 Smithfield Road throughout the month of December to view this year’s submissions.
