Local fifth-grade students win LPEA safety poster contest

“Be Safe Around Electricity” was the theme for the first annual contest

DURANGO, Colo. – Gabriel Clark used his creativity to win the first annual La Plata Electric Association, Inc. (LPEA) Electrical Safety Poster Contest for fifth-grade students. Second and third place awards were presented to Jasper Lambert and Shaylynn Connell. The theme “Be Safe Around Electricity” inspired 122 entries from fifth grade classes in Archuleta and La Plata counties.

(L-R) Gabriel Clark of Saint Columba School in Durango proudly displays his winning entry in the first annual LPEA Electrical Safety Poster Contest with his teacher Kelsey Yochum and honorable mention award recipient Sutton Schreiber.  The theme “Be Safe Around Electricity” inspired 122 entries from fifth-grade classes in Archuleta and La Plata counties. (Photo by Lonnie Tucker)

Gabriel, son of Matt and Mary Lynn Clark, is a student in Kelsey Yochum’s class at Saint Columba School in Durango. “Gabe takes pride in everything he does. He is an incredible student and put 100 percent of his effort into his electrical safety poster. The fifth-grade students at St. Columba used the contest to promote electrical safety and spread awareness throughout our school,” said Ms. Yochum.

“When I was working on my safety poster, I tried my best to illustrate several electrical safety tips. I like drawing cartoons, and I’m really excited about my poster receiving first place,” said Gabriel. Clark’s poster features important safety tips such as installing safety covers in electrical outlets, not placing metal objects into electrical outlets and appliances, replacing damaged extension cords, and not charging your phone under a pillow.

Jasper, son of Jerry Lambert and April Rogers, is a student in Candace Henry’s class at Pagosa Springs Middle School in Pagosa Springs. Shaylynn, daughter of Jamie Lawson and Shannon Daniel, is a student in Janet Clements’ class at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School in Hesperus.

The judges presented honorable mention awards, Amazon Fire Kid’s Edition Tablets ($100 value), to seven students for their outstanding work. They include Violet Isgar, Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary; Sutton Schreiber, Saint Columba School; Bailey Eder, Paige Smith and Zack Sampley, Bayfield Intermediate School; Hope Domingo, Pagosa Springs Middle School and Christian Andrews of Andrews Homeschool.

Fifth-grade teachers Janet Clements, Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary; Kelsey Yochum, Saint Columba School; Shanna Noonan, Bayfield Intermediate School; Natalie Baca and Candace Henry of Pagosa Springs Middle School received a $50 Amazon gift card for their classroom participation in the contest.

“Education, training and information is one of the core cooperative principles, and the fifth-grade students were very excited about this learning opportunity. The program presents an opportunity for teachers in La Plata Electric’s service area to integrate art with their science curriculum. The contest is designed to enhance the students understanding about electricity and provide important electrical safety tips,” said Lonnie Tucker, LPEA communications coordinator.

LPEA, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative established in 1939, provides to its more than 30,000 consumer-members, with more than 42,000 meters, safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, while being environmentally responsible. For additional information, contact LPEA at (970) 247-5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.