POWERGRAMS

100% CONNECTED Daybreak at Beeswax Landing on Jan. 18 was a run-of-the-mill winter morning at Lay Lake as the rising sun created a haze above the waterline. The serenity of dawn was broken by the muffled communication of high school anglers wrapped against the chill as they loaded boats for the first fishing tournament of the season. Instead of racing the sun in hopes of hooking fish worthy of tall tales, more than 30 students from four schools braved the elements to fill Renew Our Rivers trash bags and try for top prize at the first Cleanup Classic. Hayden High won with a total of 2,598 pounds of trash, followed by Gardendale with 1,192 pounds, Auburn with 1,091 pounds and Sylacauga's one-student team with 464 pounds. "These high school teams are used to being out on the lake early to compete," said Kay Donaldson, program director for the Alabama Bass Trail. "Instead of competing for the most fish, they competed to pick up the most trash. It is a great way to get them involved with the Renew Our Rivers program." The first of more than 30 cleanups in 2014, the Cleanup Classic kicked off Renew Our River's 15th year by removing more than 5,000 pounds of trash from Lay Lake. Since the campaign started in 2000, more than 56,000 volunteers have collected more than 13 million pounds of trash and debris from waterways across the Southeast. "Renew Our Rivers began with one Alabama Power employee who had a vision to improve the health and beauty of the Coosa River near Plant Gadsden, where he worked," said Matt Bowden, vice president of Environmental Affairs. "As we celebrate the 15th year of this grassroots effort, we hope to engage the next generation in stewardship of our lakes and rivers." Alabama Power and the Alabama Bass Trail are providing high school anglers a number of volunteer opportunities in 2014. By participating in the 16 cleanups scheduled this year on Alabama Bass Trail waterways, students can collect conservation hours required to qualify for grants from the Bass Trail's Service Hours Grant Program. The Alabama Power Foundation is marking the 15th year of Renew Our Rivers with the launch of "Students to Stewards." The program will support stewardship projects that educate youths about the importance of the state's unique ecosystems. By engaging the next generation, Renew Our Rivers, Alabama Power and the Alabama Power Foundation hope to introduce students to the amazing natural resources of the state, Bowden said. For an up-to-date listing of 2014 cleanups, visit RenewOurRivers.com or go to AlabamaPower.com and click on "Lakes & Recreation." By Brandon Glover High school students fish for trash at Lay Lake, reel in 5,345 pounds 2 Auburn High's fishing team crosses Lay Lake to collection site. More than 30 students participated (inset). Photos by Nik layman Miss Electra stands watch over downtown Birmingham as snow and icy roads kept many employees from reaching home Jan. 28. Photo by Wynter Byrd. ON ThE COVER: Auburn High students collect trash. Hayden High School students won the competition.

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