Life of a Solar Panel, by Jack Cerrati, Austin Wiedemann, Kolby Anthony and Samere “Isaiah” Tyson, was selected as Palmetto Electric Cooperative’s local winner of the 2022 Children’s Book Challenge, sponsored by EnLIGHTenSC, an educational initiative of South Carolina’s electric cooperatives.

The competition challenges fourth and fifth-grade students to write and illustrate stories that focus on cooperatives, sustainability and the impact of electricity. Local winners’ books are then entered into a statewide competition for a chance to win $500 and have their book published and distributed to elementary schools throughout the state.

After being selected as Palmetto Electric’s local winner, Life of a Solar Panel was awarded a first-ever, second-place prize in the EnLightenSC statewide competition.

Jack, Austin, Kolby and Isaiah, fifth graders at Hilton Head Island Elementary School for the Creative Arts, were recognized along with their teachers, Jennifer Friend-Kerr and Alex Holland, during a presentation in their classroom on April 19. Missy Santorum, public relations manager for Palmetto Electric Cooperative, and Van O’Cain, director of public and media relations for the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, presented the winning team with certificates, gift cards and cash prizes.

“We at Palmetto Electric are especially proud of Jack, Austin, Kolby and Isaiah, for their teamwork, creative writing and ability to present facts about solar energy and Palmetto Electric Cooperative in an intriguing way,” says Santorum. “To be selected as not only the local winner but to also receive second place in the statewide competition is a tremendous accomplishment!”

By inspiring students to learn more about energy in our state, South Carolina’s electric co-ops hope to spark a passion for critical thinking in the minds of tomorrow’s leaders.