“We have been proud to work with NEED for our Cape and Vineyard schools,” said Fred Fenlon, Eastham representative to the Cape Light Compact.  “The teachers and their students have done a wonderful job not only mastering topics in energy but also teaching others.”

ConEdison Solutions -- a leading national energy services company and provider of electricity on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard through the Cape Light Compact -- sponsored the third-grade Eastham Elementary “Energizers” and joined them at a ceremony held today at the school to celebrate the award.  The school won the “rookie” award because this was the first year it participated in the program.

“Nationwide, adults and children alike should look to these bright third-graders as role models.  By learning about energy conservation at such a young age, these students are certain to make this world cleaner and greener,” said JoAnn F. Ryan, president and CEO of ConEdison Solutions.  “We are proud to lend our support to worthwhile programs that, like NEED, educate the public on energy conservation.” The students presented their energy program scrapbook -- including their Energy Exposition, the Cape Light Compact Energy Fair and energy audits-- to their parents and the local community at a news conference moderated by two third-graders, Scott McMullin and Meghan Connors.

To congratulate the students for their outstanding achievement, the NEED project has invited the class to its National Recognition Ceremonies in Washington, DC on June 24 to June 27, 2005. 

“I can’t wait to go to Washington, DC to get the award and to show my friends what I learned about saving energy,” said Meghan Connors.

“We have been lucky to have such a supportive community for all of our activities,” said Maggie Brown, third-grade teacher at Eastham Elementary School.  “The students and their families have worked hard for this award, and the community has only enhanced the experience.”

ConEdison Solutions was one of the main sponsors of the third-graders and their upcoming recognition trip to D.C.  The company is assisting the school to obtain bus service for the children to visit Governor Mitt Romney in Boston to accept the state award on June 14^th.  A list of additional supporters is included in the press packet.

The NEED project is a nonprofit organization with programs in 45 states.  For the past 25 years, NEED has developed innovative materials and implemented programs that not only teach about energy, but also develop leadership and critical thinking skills.  NEED’s Kids Teaching Kids philosophy encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning and that of others.  NEED is sponsored by both renewable and nonrenewable energy companies, federal, state and local agencies, energy consumers and by national and state energy and education associations.