Several West Hartford students were winners in the 12th annual ‘eesmarts’ statewide contest focused on creatively promoting energy efficient and renewable energy technologies.

Kindergartener Lily Sabino wins 1st place at the 12th annual eesmarts student contest. She is pictured with other category winners, DEEP’s Tracy Babbage, Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor, Stephen Bruno with Eversource and Patrick McDonnell with United Illuminating Company. Submitted photo

Submitted

West Hartford area students, Lily Sabino, Sydney Huttner, Talia Lesham, Leah Williams, and Victoria Boustani were honored last week as finalists at the 12th annual eesmarts Student Contest ceremony held at the State Capitol.

Presented by Energize Connecticut in partnership with Eversource and the United Illuminating Company (UI), Connecticut Natural Gas, and the Southern Connecticut Gas Company, the eesmarts Student Contest invites Connecticut students in grades K-12 and college to create projects about energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability.

Lily’s project was awarded first place in the Kindergarten category. She designed a poster that shows how you can save energy around the house, or at school. Lily received a $200 Amazon gift card and plaque.

In the third grade category, Sydney’s fictional narrative about recycling was awarded third place. The narrative explained the importance of recycling to conserve Earth’s limited resources and. Sydney received a $50 Amazon gift card and plaque.

Fifth grader Leah Williams wins 3rd place at the 12th annual eesmarts student contest. She is pictured with other category winners, DEEP’s Tracy Babbage, Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor, Stephen Bruno with Eversource and Patrick McDonnell with United Illuminating Company. Submitted photo

Talia’s energy saving news article was awarded second place in the Grade 4 category. Written for her local paper, Talia’s article included facts about energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation. She received a $100 Amazon gift card and a plaque.

Leah’s book review for The Lorax by Dr. Seuss was awarded third place in the Grade 5 category. Her entry described how this book helps children understand the importance of conserving natural resources and energy. Leah received a $50 Amazon gift card and a plaque.

For the seventh grade category, Victoria received first place for her gubernatorial persuasive speech Written as the Governor of Connecticut, her speech, directed toward residents and businesses, discussed her policy regarding energy conservation, energy-efficient technologies and clean, renewable energy sources. Victoria received a $200 Amazon gift card and a plaque.

The ceremony attracted more than 150 students, parents, teachers, elected officials, and clean energy supporters from across the state in celebration of the students’ hard work. Tracy Babbage of Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was the keynote speaker for the event, and NBC Connecticut anchor and education reporter Todd Piro served as Master of Ceremonies.

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