In a Jan. 14 press release, Baltimore Gas and Electric announced the winners of its Wires Down commercial via the third annual Wires Down Video Challenge campaign. Congratulations to Monarch Global Academy, on Brock Bridge Road in Laurel; and Edgewater Elementary School, both in Anne Arundel County. These schools were among 11 other elementary schools named as big winners in the campaign.
BGE launched its "Wires Down Video Challenge" last fall to all elementary schools throughout the central Maryland service area. Students from 24 elementary schools from across Maryland submitted a video to stress the importance, especially to children, of BGE's safety message concerning downed power lines. During a two-week period in December, more than 77,000 votes were cast to determine the winners.
Students at Monarch Global Academy sang and played the "Wires Down" melody utilizing their voices and instruments, which earned them the $3,000 Golden Pipes award. Edgewater Elementary School students were helped by Spanish language students from South River High School, and did their entire video in Spanish; they won the $1,000 Anne Arundel County award. The other winning schools were: Sarah M. Roach Elementary School in Baltimore City, winning the $10,000 Star Power Award; Northwood Elementary School in Baltimore City, winning the $5,000 Spotlight Award and the Rock the Vote Award, receiving backpacks and safety gear; Empowerment Academy Elementary and Middle School in Baltimore City, winning the $3,000 Director's Cut Award; Perry Hall Christian School in Perry Hall, receiving the $3,000 Cast N' Crew Award; Krieger Schechter Day School in Pikesville, receiving the $1,000 Baltimore City Award; The H.O.P.E. Academy in Baltimore City, receiving the $1,000 Baltimore City Award; St. John Catholic School in Westminster, receiving the $1,000 Carroll County Award; Riverside Elementary School in Abingdon, receiving the $1,000 Harford County Award; and Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School in Ellicott City, receiving the $1,000 Howard County Award.
Awards ranged from $1,000 to $10,000 and recognized each student for their teamwork, creativity and the highest number of votes received online. Congratulations to all the winners!
Happy birthday to my family, friends and neighbors on their upcoming celebrations: James Brooks on Jan. 28; Rob Newman on Jan. 31; Karen Hackett Machusic on Feb. 2; Diana Muller and Suzanne Hensley Conrad on Feb. 4; Carol Slater Stucky on Feb. 5; and Carolyn Jones Eppinger on Feb. 9.