Local Students Win Cuivre River Electric Safety Poster Contest
Michael Hackmann used his creativity to win the eighth annual Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC) Safety Poster Contest for area fifth grade students. Second and third place awards go to Vanessa Liker and Alexis Koch. The theme “Electrical Safety in the Kitchen” inspired 722 entries from 52 fifth grade classes in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties.
Michael, son of Steve and Tonya Hackmann, is a home schooled student in Warrenton. “Michael is a very talented artist for his age. He has shown tremendous growth artistically throughout his years. We are very proud of his hard work and effort on this project,” says Ms. Hackmann.
“When I was working on my safety poster I tried my best to illustrate several electrical kitchen safety tips. I like drawing cartoons, and I’m really excited about my poster receiving first place,” says Michael. Hackmann’s poster features important safety tips such as not overloading an electrical outlet or circuit’s capacity, don’t place metal objects into an outlet, when disconnecting to pull the plug instead of the cord, never unplug an appliance that is still on, dry your hands before using an electrical appliance and to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of an emergency.
Vanessa, daughter of Scott and Shannon Liker, is a student in Doneen Johnson’s class at Independence Elementary School in Weldon Spring. Alexis, daughter of Mark and Donna Koch, is a student in Jennifer Hennessy’s class at Green Tree Elementary in Lake Saint Louis.
Ten students also received honorable mention awards: Isabella Henley, Boone Trail Elementary; Haley Mills, Clopton Elementary; Sabrina Halstead, Cuivre Park Elementary; Bailey Wilson, Duello Elementary; Emily Smith, Ida Cannon Middle School; Alayna Strehl, Independence Elementary; Brooke Benefield, Lakeview Elementary; Alexis Hudson, Main Street Elementary; Marissa Wilke, William R. Cappel Elementary and Alise Grogg, Warren Elementary.
Forty-seven fifth grade teachers received awards for their classroom participation in the safety poster contest. “The fifth grade students and teachers were very excited about this learning opportunity. This was an opportunity for teachers in our Cuivre River Electric service area to integrate art with their science curriculum. The safety poster contest enhanced their understanding about electrical safety in the kitchen,” says CREC Communication Specialist Lonnie Tucker.
“Electrical Safety in the Kitchen” is a theme we use to educate our elementary students about safety hazards they may face in the kitchen,” says CREC Safety Coordinator Doug Bagby. “The safety poster contest is just one more way to remind our children about the potential electrical dangers they may encounter in the kitchen working with appliances,” he says.
The Cuivre River Electric Safety Poster Contest is conducted each year, and is one of several educational programs administered yearly in the area schools. The programs are designed to provide area students with information on how electricity is generated and transmitted to their homes and schools, electrical safety, special Arbor Day presentations and youth leadership. Kids of all ages are invited to learn more about electric safety by visiting www.cuivre.com and selecting the “Kid’s Club” button.
Cuivre River Electric Cooperative is a consumer-owned utility, founded in 1941, which provides electricity to more than 59,500 homes and businesses in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties. For more information on the Safety Poster Contest or Cuivre River Electric Cooperative visit www.cuivre.com or call 800-392-3709 ext. 230.
Michael Hackmann proudly displays his winning entry in Cuivre River Electric Cooperative’s eighth annual Safety Poster Contest for local fifth grade students. The theme “Electrical Safety in the Kitchen” inspired more than 720 entries from 52 classes in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren counties. (Photo by Lonnie Tucker)