HARTFORD, Connecticut – May 28, 2009 – On Wednesday, May 27, Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr., Department of Public Utility Control Commissioner Amalia Vazquez Bzdyra and Energy Conservation Management Board Chairman Jeff Gaudiosi honored 19 student finalists at the fifth annual eesmarts™ Energy Efficiency Essay Contest ceremony at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The contest is sponsored by the CEEF’s PreK-8 education program eesmarts, The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) and The
United Illuminating Company (UI).
This year’s essay contest asked students to address a number of different local and regional challenges and provide qualitative solutions. More than 400 students in grades four through eight from across Connecticut submitted essays detailing their inventive ideas and solutions for the various challenges presented to them.
“It is important that Connecticut children realize that they are the future scientists, engineers and policymakers who will help make Connecticut more energy efficient,” said Jeff Gaudiosi, chairman of the Energy Conservation Management Board. “The ideas inside each of these winning essays should serve as the blueprint for energy efficiency policy in Connecticut.”
Winning entries were selected based on factual accuracy, originality, clarity of thought, readability, persuasiveness and appearance as well as a demonstrated understanding of the energy lessons taught in the eesmarts elementary and middle school curriculum.
First place winners received an ENERGY STARŪ-rated laptop computer. Second place, third place and honorable mention winners received a
U.S. Savings Bond. All contest entrants received recognition from CEEF, CL&P and UI.
This year’s winners are:
Fourth Grade:
First Place-Jonathan Jacob Hernandez, Highland Park Elementary, Manchester
Second Place-Emma Fisher, Highland Park Elementary, Manchester
Third Place-Samantha Dickinson, Highland Park Elementary, Manchester
Honorable Mention-Alexander Della Bianca, Whiting Lane School, West Hartford
Fifth Grade:
First Place-Max Jarcho, Scotland Elementary School, Ridgefield
Second Place-Joemart Contreras, St. Stanislaus School, Meriden
Third Place-Lorenzo Muniz, St. Stanislaus School, Meriden
Honorable Mention-Kaitlyn Adamini, Scotland Elementary School, Ridgefield
Sixth Grade:
First Place-Claudia Schatz, Edgewood Magnet School, New Haven
Second Place- Neo Hlongwane, Wilbur Cross, Bridgeport
Third Place-Casey Brantner, West Woods Upper Elementary, Farmington
Seventh Grade:
First Place- Sarah Dinovelli, Carl C. Cutler Middle School, Mystic
Second Place-Levi Duhaime, Lebanon Middle School, Lebanon
Third Place-Kathryn Petroski, Seymour Middle School, Seymour
Honorable Mention-Julia Maturo, Seymour Middle School, Seymour
Eighth Grade:
First Place-Thomas Yang, Eastern Middle School, Riverside
Second Place-Eamon Wizner, Classical Magnet School, Hartford
Third Place-Paige Orlofsky, Ansonia Middle School, Ansonia
Honorable Mention-Jennifer Gaulin, Nathan Hale School, New Haven
For more information on energy efficiency or the eesmarts program, please visit www.eesmarts.com or call 1-877-WISE USE (947-3873).
The CEEF promotes efficient energy use, helps residents and businesses save on their energy bills, advances economic development, reduces electric demand and helps reduce air pollution. CL&P, UI and the natural gas companies administer the CEEF through conservation programs that serve residential customers, including limited- and fixed-income customers, as well as business and municipal customers. Connecticut’s energy-efficiency programs are funded by the conservation charge on customer bills. Additional information on Connecticut's energy-efficiency programs can be found
at www.ctenergyinfo.com.
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About The Connecticut Light and Power Company:
The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) has been part of everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses. With 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is an active member in the communities it serves, offering programs in energy conservation, economic development and environmental stewardship. CL&P is part of the Northeast Utilities System (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.cl-p.com.
About The United Illuminating Company:
The United Illuminating Company (UI) is a New Haven-based regional distribution utility established in 1899. UI is engaged in the purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity and related services to more than 324,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas. UI’s World Wide Web address is www.uinet.com. UI’s parent company, UIL Holdings Corporation, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UIL.