Schools
Lyman, Strong Students Take Top Prizes in Energy Contest
Two local students were among 30 winners of a statewide student contest designed to showcase students' "energy smarts."
John Lyman Elementary School third grader Thomas Kannam earned first place while Strong Middle School eighth grader Rowan O'Connell took home third place in the 9th annual eesmarts student contest.
More than 1,000 students from across Connecticut entered the contest. The winners were honored during a ceremony held in the Old Judiciary Room at the Capitol on Tuesday, June 11.
Find out what's happening in Durham-Middlefieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“You don’t have to be an adult to understand the importance of energy efficiency,” said Katie Dykes, Deputy Commissioner of Energy for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). “The eesmartsprogram and annual Student Contest plays an important role in helping students from kindergarten all the way through high school learn and appreciate the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy, positioning them for a lifetime of environmentally-conscious thinking.”
First prize winners received an iPad and second prize winners received a Kindle Fire. Third place winners received a $25 dollar gift card to Amazon, along with a season pass for their family to a science museum.
Find out what's happening in Durham-Middlefieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The contest is sponsored by Energize Connecticut, The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, Connecticut Light & Power and the United Illuminating Company, and designed to engage students in energy efficient and renewable energy technology.
The following is the public service announcement on renewable energy submitted by Rowan O'Connell of Durham:
Did you know that renewable energy accounts for only fourteen percent of the United States power each year? This number is already on the rise and you can help to raise this percentage even further. Because of the world’s growing population, fossil fuel is in demand more than ever before. Renewable energy and a sustainable lifestyle can play a big role in rescuing our planet. More and more Americans are using solar and wind energy to power their homes and businesses each year. You can make a difference by considering solar panels for your house. Many local governments are providing rebate programs to make renewable energy more affordable. In addition, you can ask your town to explore solar options for lighting and traffic signs. Make sure to spread the word within your community about ways to improve energy efficiency. Together we can make a difference in transforming the Earth in hopes of a better future.
Winners
Kindergarten
First: Megan Emerson, St. Martha School, Enfield
Second: Zoe Miller, St. Peter/St. Francis School, Torrington
Third: Lauren Kosha, St. Peter/St. Francis School, Torrington
First Grade
First: Salma Farid, Salma K. Farid Academy, Hamden
Second: Alexis Mastrangelo, St. Martha School, Enfield
Third: Harold Banigas, Maria Sanchez Elementary School, Hartford
Second Grade
First: Yash Bhandari, Newfield Elementary School, Stamford
Second: Margo Katz, Mary T. Murphy Elementary School, Branford
Third: Emma Lee, St. Martha School, Enfield
Third Grade
First: Thomas Kannam, John Lyman Elementary School, Middlefield
Second: Karina McMahon, Burr Elementary School, Fairfield
Third: Nathan Ertl, Marvin Elementary, Norwalk
Fourth Grade
First: Indro Cavanna, Worthington Hooker School, New Haven
Second: Anna Patterson, Stratfield School, Fairfield
Third: Eleanor L. Bryda, St. Anthony’s School, Winsted
Fifth Grade
First: Gianna Benni, Walsh Intermediate, Branford
Second: Emma Gallagher, Walsh Intermediate, Branford
Third: Olivia Katherine Wong, Perry Hill School, Shelton
Sixth Grade
First: Sarah Lewis, King Philip Middle School, West Hartford
Second: Andrew Bean, Wells Road Intermediate, Granby
Third: Lindsay Courser, Wells Road Intermediate, Granby
Seventh Grade
First: Ashlinn Virgulto, Walter C. Polson Middle School, Madison
Second: Imani Shortz, John Winthrop Middle School, Deep River
Third: Michael McMahon, Tomlinson Middle School, Fairfield
Eighth Grade
First: Joseph Bechard & Artur Zielinski, Sacred Heart School, New Britain
Second: Alora Foster, St. Peter/St. Francis School, Torrington
Third: Rowan O’Connell, Frank W. Strong Middle School, Durham
Honorable Mention: Conor Jones, Roger Ludlowe Middle School, Fairfield
High School: Grades 9-12 (Power of Change winners)
First: Anaid Enriquez, West Haven High School, West Haven
Second: Vanessa Brown, West Haven High School, West Haven
Third: Anuj Sisodiya, Trumbull High School, Trumbull
For more information on the student contest and the eesmarts™ program, please visit www.eesmarts.com.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.