On June 10, 2025, HAVEN Education visited Mast Way School to honor 2nd grade student Ella, who won the organization’s 18th edition of their design contest.

School staff and HAVEN representatives, accompanied by their puppets, visited Ms. Laliberte’s classroom to surprise Ella and her teammates with a special celebration.

Ella’s yellow and orange cat design won the contest and will be featured on t-shirts. The annual contest is open to students in grades K-4 in Rockingham County and Strafford County.

Ms. Laliberte’s students each received a free t-shirt featuring the design, and Ella’s artwork will also be included in a coloring book HAVEN gives to all 1st and 2nd graders they visit. 

“We received over 400 entries this year, with a large number coming from Mast Way,” said Erica Skoglund, Education & Camp HOPE Director for HAVEN. “This year, we offered free programs to Mast Way School, Moharimet School, Oyster River Middle School, and several other elementary schools in New Hampshire. In elementary schools, students partake in our Personal Body Safety shows featuring puppets, which are always a big hit.”

HAVEN Education visits schools throughout Rockingham and Strafford Counties to teach children about keeping their bodies safe. The nonprofit organization visits approximately 12,500 children a year.

Ella’s yellow and orange cat design was selected among over 400 submissions.

HAVEN visited Ella’s classroom to surprise her and Ms. Laliberte’s students with the news.

Friends and family gathered to celebrate Ella in her classroom.