Hamden Student Among Energize Connecticut Contest Winners

A Hamden first-grader was among the winners of the ninth annual eesmarts™ student contest for students in grades K-12. 

The contest, sponsored by Energize Connecticut, together with The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, Connecticut Light & Power and the United Illuminating Company, gave Connecticut students the opportunity to showcase their “energy smarts” about saving energy by answering grade-level specific prompts regarding energy efficient and renewable energy technology. Students submitted entries in a variety of mediums including poems, essays, graphs and artwork.

Salma Farid, a first-grader at the Salma K. Farid Academy on Leeder Hill Drive in Hamden, took first place in the category for first-grade students. For her efforts, Salma was awarded an iPad as her prize. 

The ceremony was held in the Old Judiciary Room of the Connecticut State Capitol and attracted students, parents and energy efficiency supporters in celebration of the students’ hard work. Katie Dykes, Deputy Commissioner of Energy for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), along with Jamie Howland, First Vice Chairperson of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board, were both on hand to congratulate the winners. WFSB Channel 3 Meteorologist Mark Dixon served as Master of Ceremonies for the second year in a row.

“You don’t have to be an adult to understand the importance of energy efficiency,” said Dykes. “The eesmarts program 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.” 

For more information on the student contest and the eesmarts™  program, please visit www.eesmarts.com.