POWERGRAMS

HISTORY Gadsden, Etowah County students rewarded for reporting on centennial Photos by Christopher Jones Using only an iPad, the Silent Filmmaker app and simple roleplaying, Adams Elementary School fourth-graders told the story of how Alabama Power got its start in their city 100 years ago. Their contribution was one of two first-place winners in the Gadsden Steam Plant centennial education competition last fall. "The kids had so much fun making the video," said Adams Elementary teacher Casey Baker. "We made most of the video in black and white to represent 100 years ago when the plant was built, and then Communications Specialist Alyson Tucker talks to students about early photo of Gadsden Steam Plant. we made another part in color to represent today's world." The submissions were judged on various criteria, including the Baker's students teamed with amount of additional research, originality of the idea, content and Shekelia Marshall's fourth-grade class to produce the video. presentation. "It's such an honor to know that Alabama Power is supporting Adams Elementary fourth-graders placed first among Gadsden us for what we're doing in the classroom and is recognizing our City Schools in the competition. John Jones Elementary was first kids for their hard work," Baker said. among Etowah County Schools, with a video report anchored by Alabama Power partnered with the city of Gadsden, The fourth-grader McKenna Hodge. Messenger and Channel 24 TV to host the competition. The goal "As a lifetime resident of Etowah County, the competition was to raise area students' awareness about the role their city, the sparked my interest," said Donna Holderfield, the fourth-grade Coosa River and Gadsden Steam Plant played in the development teacher who coordinated the contest at John Jones Elementary. "In of an interconnected electric system throughout Alabama. the classroom, we began by discussing the background and history A six-page newspaper, the Gadsden Centennial, was distributed of Alabama Power and what the company means to our city. Then, to fourth-graders in Etowah County and Gadsden City schools because some students are good in creative writing and others to introduce them to the history of electricity in the state and the in technology, I opened up the competition and allowed each of role their region has played. The newspaper included hands-on them to choose how they wanted to report their own story." activities focusing on safety, math and vocabulary, and an insert Second place went to Carlisle Elementary and Walnut Park about Renew Our Rivers, a nationally recognized cleanup effort Elementary fourth-grade classes from Etowah County and that was initiated Gadsden City schools, respectively. A $1,500 teacher grant was by Alabama Power awarded to the classes that took the top spots, while second-place employees on the finishers received $1,000 grants. Coosa River 15 years "By taking part in the centennial celebration, my students have ago. learned more about the history of our state, and they have had an "Through this additional reason to focus on the importance of electricity in our competition, we lives," said Carlisle Elementary School teacher Debbie Simmons. encouraged students Her class submission was a poster comparing life before and after to act like reporters the advent of electricity. as they investigated Along with presenting the grants, Alabama Power employees will the birth of electricity visit each of the four schools to host a pizza party for the winning in Gadsden," said classes. Nancy Prater, "I'm so tickled to have won this money for my classroom," said communications Holderfield, who plans to buy an iPad for her class. "It's exciting specialist, Public Students enoyed pizza as contest prize. news, especially when there's so many things we need and not Relations. "We didn't enough money for them. Receiving this grant is such a blessing." put any restrictions on the way they shared the message. Our goal was to get them engaged and give them the freedom and license to By Carla Davis use their creativity and imagination." Along with the newspaper, each student received a reporter's kit containing a press badge, notebook and pencil, and a state map marked with locations of Alabama Power offices, plants and dams. They were challenged to conduct research, interview family and neighbors about their memories of using electricity, and encouraged to tell their story through videos, essays, presentations or other media. 7

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