Sixth-grader wins contest to name Caltrans mascot
Traffic cones help guide motorists through road construction sites, while protecting California Department of Transportation work crews from perilous accidents.
So Caltrans decided a traffic cone mascot would be ideal to help teach the drivers of tomorrow important safety lessons today. The oversize bright orange figure wears a seat belt and a Caltrans cap topped with flashing lights.
“Everybody knows what the cone is and to watch out for it,” said Caroline Moreno, a Caltrans spokesperson. “You kind of identify it with a work zone — it was much better than a hard hat.”
To name the new conical character, Caltrans enlisted the help of students, hosting a statewide naming contest for young people ages 5 to 18 that drew more than 1,800 entries and nearly as many suggestions over a twomonth period. Submissions ranged from Hugo Safely and Work Zone Willy to Safety Cone Cal and Stay Alert Bert, according to Moreno.
The winning entry, Safety Sam, was submitted by Huntington Beach sixthgrader Miller Ruiz, who attends Huntington Christian School.
Miller’s mom, Jenna Ruiz, who teaches in another grade at the school, heard about the contest and immediately encouraged students in her class, along with her own three children, to come up with names for the contest.
“I was like, ‘Oh, man, I love a good contest. Let’s do it,’ ” Ruiz recalled Wednesday, speaking for Miller, 11, who was sick from school that day.
“We were coming up with alliterative names, like Caution Carl or Carla,” she continued. “[My sons] Eli and Miller were talking about Sam or Sammy, and they said, ‘Safety Sam.’ I thought that’s a great one, it’s so perfect.”
The Ruizes went online, filled out a few fields on the contest entry page, then promptly forgot about it. On Jan. 31, they learned Miller’s entry had been picked.
In fact, 27 kids submitted the name Safety Sam, but Miller’s name was randomly selected to receive the contest award of $500, a laptop and $500 for his teacher to use in the classroom.
Provided by iHeartMedia, Miller’s prizes will be distributed in a special presentation at Huntington Christian School, during which Safety Sam will make an appearance, and kids in Miller’s class will receive free T-shirts.
Ruiz said her son is going to get a kick out of the festivities. “He’s a great kid to win it because he’s super excited and funny and silly. I’m excited for the cone to come to campus because he’ll think this is the best.”