Killian's creativity tops in state
Higgins student bests 2,300 entries in energy conservation competition

Kaitlyn Killian shows off the certificate she earned for winning the Igniting Creative Energies competition, a statewide contest challenging students to develop a plan to reduce personal energy consumption. Kaitlyn bested 2,300 entrants, winning a $500 savings bond, $50 check, MP3 player and a cookie party (shared with classmates at Higgins Intermediate). Below are samples from Kaitlyn's project.

Kaitlyn Killian, a Higgins student in Mrs. Runyan and Mrs. Toole's third grade class, was recently recognized as the top winner in the state of Texas for the Igniting Creative Energies Competition.

Kaitlyn received a $500 savings bond and a $50 check for her efforts, and she and her classmates enjoyed a cookie party thrown by one of the contest sponors.

The challenge for entrants in this contest was simple:

+ Step 1 - Learn how an individual's own wise energy choices and environmental stewardship can help reduce energy consumption and improve the community in which we live.

+ Step 2 - Ignite your creative energy to explore new and creative ways to make a difference in the way you use energy.

+ Step 3 - Use your creative talents to communicate your energy ideas and actions to others.

The contest brought in more that 2,300 entries across the nation, and Kaitlyn's entry on conserving energy through gas conservation came out on top.

Kaitlyn's entry was bound book with handdrawn illustrations that tracked mileage and gas expenditures for typical family outings to school, the grocery store and errands.

She did the math and determined how much money the family would save if errands were consolidated, the kids rode the bus to school and price matching at Walmart for groceries was done.

Kaitlyn also created a smaller book with a claymation character for children within the entry to explain on a kids level how even the least bit of conservation was a good thing.

The ICE challenge is a partnership program developed by Johnson Controls Inc. and the National Energy Foundation. Johnson Controls funds the challenge through an educational grant with additional support from the United States Energy Association and the National Energy Foundation.

Lora Hurley of Johnson Controls presented Higgins Principal Tom Luce with a $1,000 check for the school.

Other contest sponsors include the National Energy Foundation and Phillips Lighting Company. Ron Mapel of Phillips presented Kaitlyn with an MP3 player as part of the prize package.