When the cold wind blows and snow is knee deep, you just might find a smile on your face when you see this snowplow coming down the road.

Superintendents around Cass County were asked if their district would like to be involved in painting school murals on snow plows. Tracy Hertsel, Cassopolis superintendent, thought it sounded like a great idea. He contacted Shelly Johnson, Cassopolis High School art teacher, and she said she would propose the idea to her painting class.

They were excited to take their school spirit to the roads.

“This was quite an undertaking,” Johnson said. “Probably the strangest request for artwork I have ever had. The kids were committed though and promised they would work hard to get it done. And they did.”

One of the takeaway’s for everyone was how BIG these plows are. It was delivered and painted in the Ag room. It got lots of visitors just to see the process unfold. Students used rollers and primed the rusty front face.

After many coats, the design was transferred. From there, several students took on various painting tasks. Aja McCray was elected to paint the sun behind the Ranger logo. It was a rough canvas, but she managed to smooth the transitions like a pro.

Alec Hoff summed up the feelings of all involved.

“When I see that snow plow coming down the road I will be proud to say ‘I painted that,” he said.

Look for the Cassopolis Ranger plow at the Cass County Fair this summer.