February 2016 southernriversenergy.com 14AYour Local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

February 2016

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aniel Garrett, a senior at Mary Persons

High School in Forsyth, recently took first place at the Area III EMC/FFA Agricultural Career Development Event (CDE) at Camp John Hope in Perry, Ga. The contest is designed to test students’ knowledge of electrical wiring and is offered through local FFA chapters, with significant support from local EMCs like Southern Rivers Energy.

“The competition helps students develop the ability to think critically, communicate clearly and perform effec-tively in a variety of settings,” says Josh Hendricks with Southern Rivers Energy. “We’re pleased to be a partner in a program that offers a hands-on learning experience for students. Educational programs that teach students how to use electricity safely and efficiently are a natural fit for us.”

During the CDE, students are tested in three key ways: taking a multiple-choice exam, completing a hands-on, practical wiring exercise that tests their knowledge of the National Electrical Code and giving a speech detailing the steps needed to complete a specific electrical task.

Hendricks says that dur-ing the competition, stu-dents can demonstrate the skills they learned in class and labs and take pride in their accomplishments. “The lessons learned from the competition are skills that students can apply in any number of situations,” he notes.

As an added incentive to boost participation, students also vie for scholarships to use at any college, univer-sity or vocational school in Georgia.

Participation in the wir-ing contest has served as a catalyst for many students considering academic and career goals. In fact, a num-

ber of former CDE participants decided to pursue degree programs in the electric industry or agriculture. Some graduated with engineering degrees, completed electrical courses at technical colleges and eventually landed jobs in their area of study.

Any active FFA member enrolled in a ninth-, 10th-, 11th- or 12th-grade high school agriculture education class is eligible to participate. The top two individuals in each area contest go on to the state competition in January.

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Dates to Remember

Local Contest Builds Character and Confidence

• Feb. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Walter Harrison application deadline (postmarked)

• Feb. 12 . . . . . . . . . . .Washington Youth Tour application deadline

• Feb. 14 . . . . . . . . . . .Valentine’s Day

• Feb. 16 . . . . . . . . . . .Presidents Day (office will be open)

• March 2 . . . . . . . . .SRET Scholarship application deadline (postmarked)

Daniel Garrett, center, the son of Lisa Garrett, serves as the FFA Chapter Sentinel at Mary Persons High School. While he has participated in live-stock judging, nursery landscaping and forestry competitions, this was his first time competing in the wiring contest. He also raises and shows market hogs. Daniel stands with FFA Adviser Bill Waldrep, left, and Josh Hendricks, Energy Services Representative at Southern Rivers Energy.

14B GEORGIA MAGAZINEsouthernriversenergy.com Your Local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

he Southern Rivers Energy Bright Ideas Brigade surprised teach-

ers in their classrooms recently with a grant check, goody bag, bal-loons and flowers for their creative classroom projects. Teachers began submitting applications for the 2015 round of grants in May and the Bright Ideas Brigade—composed of SRE employees—awarded a total of $19,690 across six counties. The winners are listed on these pages.

Visit southernriversenergy.com for a complete list of project descriptions, and check out the complete photo album on our Facebook page!

Bright Ideas Reap Big Rewards

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Lamar County • Pat Burnette, “Extended Text

and Updated Globes for Gifted Students,” Lamar County Primary School, Barnesville: $725.

• Jessica Dunn, “Math Made Real,” Lamar County Elementary School, Barnesville: $905.

• Princess Eleby, “STEAM-ulating Science Stations,” Lamar County Elementary School, Barnesville: $990.

• Jewel Filipovich, “Mission Quest Flight Simulation,” Lamar County High School, Barnesville: $465.

• Laura Hearn, “Life Cycle of Chicks,” Rock Springs Christian Academy, Milner: $421.

• Beth Marchman, “Read All About It,” Lamar County Elementary School, Barnesville: $867.

• Amanda Niblett, “Journey Through Georgia,” Lamar County Elementary School, Barnesville: $856.

• Kristin Stroup, “Interactive Notebook Learning Experience,” Rock Springs Christian Academy, Milner: $424.

• Drew Westbury, “How Does Our Garden Grow,” Lamar County Elementary School, Barnesville: $443.

Meriwether County • Tonya Waller, “The Paws-

itive Reporters Presents … ,” Mountain View Elementary School, Manchester: $1,000.

Monroe County • Susan Adams-Curtis, “We Can

MAKE It!,” Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School, Forsyth: $750.

• Ronnie Shipman, “Instructional Technology Coach,” Monroe County BOE, Forsyth: $1,000.

• Annie Haynes, “Community-Based Instruction,” Mary Persons High School, Forsyth: $998.

Twenty-Four Teachers at 13 Schools Receive Grants Totaling Nearly $20,000

Karen Merrick, Media Specialist at Pike County Middle School, gets a fist bump from county Schools Superintendent Michael Duncan after being awarded $1,000 for her literacy project. Merrick’s Bright Ideas grant will provide book scholarships for economically disadvantaged students to pur-chase books of interest during the school’s book fair in May. Through collaboration with counselors and instructional coaches, students will be identified and offered the opportunity to visit the book fair before it opens to the entire student body and walk out with their own books they’ve picked out instead of leaving discouraged because they could not afford to purchase anything.

February 2016 14Csouthernriversenergy.com Your Local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

• Jana Peacock, “Chromebooks Make Economics Interactive,” Mary Persons High School, Forsyth: $920.

Spalding County • Rachael Long, “Power in the

Printer,” Crescent Elementary School, Griffin: $934.

Pike County • Mariah Banks, “Ignite the

Possibilities,” Pike County Middle School, Zebulon: $1,000.

• Gena Brown, “Creativity and Critical Thinking for the Classroom Using LEGOS,” Pike County High School, Zebulon: $939.

• Kimberly Heard, “Solar Car Race Time!,” Pike County Middle School, Zebulon: $1,000.

• Kimberly Johnson, “A Shakes-peare Playshop,” Pike County High School, Zebulon: $980.

• Karen Merrick, “Project Literacy,” Pike County Middle School, Zebulon: $1,000.

• Stephanie Richardson, “Do You See Your ‘Cellfie?’,” Pike County Middle School, Zebulon: $795.

• Greg Waits, “The Quaint Potting Shed,” Pike County High School, Zebulon: $1,000.

• Amanda Wood, “Discovering Owl Pellets,” Pike County Elementary School, Zebulon: $504.

Upson County • Ashley Thompson, “Cultivating

an Interest in Agriculture,” Upson-Lee Middle School, Thomaston: $774.

Lamar County Elementary teacher Princess Eleby celebrates as she accepts a grant for $990 to fund her proj-ect, “STEAM-ulating Science Stations.” Science, technology, engineering, art and math curriculums will be enhanced using higher-order think-ing skills and related materials. Third-graders will work in groups to develop strategies to design, create, discover and challenge ideas.

Crescent Road Elementary teacher Rachael Long was on medical leave when the grants were presented, so her precious son, Brogen, accepted on her behalf. He is joined by SRE Communications Specialist Erin Cook, left, and Principal Natalie Wood. Long’s project addressing math, science and social studies tasks third-fifth graders with identifying an everyday problem that they can solve by designing a new invention using a 3-D printer, bringing their bright ideas to life.

Pike County Middle School teacher Mariah Banks is all smiles after being surprised with a $1,000 check to fund her project, “Ignite the Possibilities.” Students in grades 6-8 will explore engineering and technology by demys-tifying electronics through a course that uses online circuit development and simulation as well as hands-on circuit building with modules like LEDs, switches and NPN transistors.

14D GEORGIA MAGAZINEtogetherwesave.com Your Local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

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hen winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm.

Winter storm severity varies depending on where you live, but as we experienced last February dur-ing Winter Storm Pax, even the South is subject to harsh winter conditions. Southern Rivers Energy cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.

Heavy snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members with-out power and vulnerable in extremely low temperatures. During a power outage, our crews always work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself. • Stay warm: Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fireplace

or wood-burning stove, during a power outage. These are great options to keep you and your loved ones warm, but exercise caution when using, and never leave one unattended. If you are using gasoline-, propane- or natural gas-burning devices to stay warm, never do so indoors. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should be properly ventilated. Always read the manufacturer’s directions before using.

• Stay fed: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta recom-mends having on hand several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked. Crackers, cereal, canned goods and bread are good options. Five gallons of water per person should also be available in the event of an extended power outage.

• Stay safe: When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. It is best not to travel during winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live. Stay as far from the downed lines as possible, and report the situation to our dispatchers by calling 866-244-4890, if possible.

Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can be the difference between life and death. Southern Rivers Energy is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready too. For more winter safety tips, visit our Storm Center at southernriversenergy.com or ready.gov.

WBe Prepared for Winter Storms

Erin Cook, Editor

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Harvey Lemmon, Chairman

John W. Dumas, Vice Chairman

Harry Park, Secretary

Millie Alexander, Treasurer

Stephen Goodman

Brian Ogletree

John Pope

Nedam Walker

STAFF

Michael J. McMillan, President/CEO

Charles Lowery, Vice President of

Finance and Administration

Ernest H. Neubauer, P.E.,Vice President of

Engineering and Operations

Patricia Becker Customer Service Supervisor

Donald Jones, Construction & Maintenance Superintendent

OUTAGE HOTLINE

1-866-244-4890For quality control purposes, your call may be monitored.

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