A sixth grader at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School and a seventh grade physical education class at Ralph C. Mahar Regional School in Orange have emerged as victors in the state Department of Transportation’s second annual “Name a Snowplow” contest.

With 12 winners chosen statewide, 11-year-old Grayson Johnson’s entry was picked in MassDOT’s District 1, and Kyle Magoffin’s class was declared the winner in District 2. Both winners are in the category for grades five through eight. The winning names? Edward Blizzardhands and Polar Pathmaker.

Those names will be on decals on MassDOT snowplows that visit the schools on Friday, Jan. 26.

While some might think the name “Edward Blizzardhands” is derived from the Tim Burton film “Edward Scissorhands,” Grayson, in Shelburne Falls, said the idea came to him due to his stepfather’s old landscaping company, called “Scissorhands.”

“I used his company for inspiration,” Grayson said.

Grayson said he is “nervous and excited” about the Jan. 26 visit from MassDOT.

Magoffin, who works as Mahar’s athletic director and teaches a physical education class, said coming up with a creative snowplow name was a homework assignment that was sent home with his kindergartner son. This inspired him to submit an entry on behalf of his students, telling them after he had submitted the entry. He said the students were thrilled when he told them Polar Pathmaker had won in District 2.

“They were pumped,” he said. “I mean, who isn’t pumped to win a contest?”

Magoffin said he liked the idea of using the word polar, due to Orange’s proximity to Worcester, the home of Polar Beverages and Polar Park.

Student Tristan Dowler said he thought the name Polar Pathmaker was great.

“I thought the contest was cool,” he said. “Great place for everyone to participate, get some fun in.”

This contest solicited entries from public school classrooms across Massachusetts, with 12 names ultimately being picked for MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2023-2024 winter season. According to MassDOT, the purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season as well as to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during the winter season.

“Keeping our roads across Massachusetts clear and safe every winter is a tough job. We are glad to see educators engage their students in a fun competition that pays tribute to this essential public service,” Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said in a statement. “I want to congratulate the winning classrooms and look forward to seeing all of the snowplows in the field.”

The other winners are: “Flower Plower,” suggested by Chester Elementary School in Chester; “Glacier Gobbler,” by Franklin Avenue Elementary School in Westfield; “Snow B Wan Kenobi” by Heritage School in Charlton; “Sleetwood Mac” by Linden STEAM Academy in Malden; “Snow-hemian Rhapsody” by Brookfield Elementary School in Brockton; “Snow Monstah” by UP Academy Dorchester in Boston; “The Snolar Express” by Burgess Elementary School in Sturbridge; “Snow Place Like Home” by William Diamond Middle School in Lexington; “The Mayplower” by Orleans Elementary School in Orleans; and “Fast and Flurryous” by Pollard Middle School in Needham.

This victory marks something special for Buckland-Shelburne Elementary sixth grade teacher David Conlon as this is the second year his students won the contest for their age group in District 1. His students Wren Topitzer and Harper Briggs won last year, during the contest’s inaugural year, with the name “Sled Zeppelin.”

Conlon’s class submitted 42 different suggested names for this year’s contest.

“Personally, I am excited to win two years in a row,” Conlon said.

Conlon noted that while puns are not used as a teaching tool in his classroom, he does appreciate “really bad jokes.” He said using puns makes “the day more fun with a little bit of humor.”

Reach Bella Levavi at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com. Reporter Domenic Poli contributed to this article.