6th-graders' slogan wins $1,000 prize

Sixth-grade students at William Penn Elementary School earned $1,000 for their idea pitching increased energy conservation in schools.

The competition was open to students nationwide, requiring them to come up with a catchy slogan — something to remind people to do everything in their power to conserve more often.

"Energy savers come in many flavors and every sprinkle counts" was the slogan the students favored, and the National Energy Foundation created a poster bearing the winning phrase. The posters now dot the hallways at all of Granite School District schools.

"If you can convert the kids, then you know the future is going to be safe," said Randy Riplinger, Granite District spokesman.

William Penn Elementary, which Riplinger calls the "most energy-conserving school in the district," touts a long list of energy-saving practices and technologies already, making them an "ideal candidate for the prize." Green-friendly achievements at the school include a state-of-the-art evaporative cooling system that offers warm-weather comfort at a fraction of the cost of chiller-based air, a building design containing superb insulation, a wide use of natural light and highly efficient low-e windows and occupancy-sensored lighting.

William Penn, located at 1670 Siggard Drive in Salt Lake City, also boasts an average annual energy cost that is 44 percent less than the average comparable school building's cost.

"The dollars we spend on electricity come out of the same pocketbook that we pay our teachers with," Riplinger said. "If we can save more money with conservation efforts, that can then go into paying more to our teachers."

Focusing on saving available resources now, he said can elicit good responses nonmonetarily as well, such as fostering good habits for conservation in everyday life.

The students were awarded the money last week, on Earth Day, by the National Energy Foundation. Granite School District has spent the past five years working to decrease energy costs, finding the best rates and reducing consumption altogether.

"Seeing the kids get involved is really the greatest part," Riplinger said.

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com