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Whitmore Charter wins twice in TID energy video contest
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Whitmore Charter video production students who helped produce award winning videos for Turlock Irrigation District are: (left to right), teacher Mariana Sandoval, Hannah Williamson, Makayla Souza, Jacob Anderson, Kyle Baize, Adam Reed, Michael Jones, Austin Neave and Ethan Walling. Not pictured are Alexis Paradiso and Jacob Vasquez. Principal David Viss is at right. - photo by JEFF BENZIGER/Courier photo

A group of Whitmore Charter High School students were recognized during the Turlock Irrigation District Board of Directors meeting recently after taking second and third place awards this year's "Take Action" Energy Efficiency Video Contest.

Hilmar High School submitted the winning video, "Leadership Energy," which chronicles the Johnson family's efforts to become more energy efficient than their neighbors, the Smiths, while also featuring TID's Home Energy Analysis and Refrigerator Recycling Program.

The second place video from Whitmore Charter highlighted energy efficient refrigerators, while the third place video, also from Whitmore, focused on shade trees.

"It was a lot of team work," said teacher Mariana Sandoval. "There were some struggles of deciding on some things they wanted and didn't want and had to come to an agreement."
The district expects to roll out the video contest to high schools again next fall, with the hope of increasing the number of entries.

This was the second year that TID prompted local high schools to produce short videos promoting refrigerator recycling, the Home Energy Analysis Program, shade trees or energy efficient refrigerators.

Led by Sandoval, the Whitmore Charter team consisted of students Jacob Anderson, Kyle Baize, Michael Jones, Austin Neave, Alexis Paradiso, Adam Reed, Makayla Souza, Jacob Vasquez, Ethan Walling and Hannah Williamson. For their efforts, the team members received $80 apiece, while their school was awarded $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place.

A five member panel judged each submitted video, being judged on accuracy of information, creativity, use of humor, and use of videography. Being featured on TID's website and YouTube channel, community members can view the top three videos from Hilmar High School, and Whitmore Charter High School, which took second and third place.

The Home Energy Analysis program is new to TID customers, giving them the ability to gauge the effectiveness of their energy efficiency efforts by providing them the average energy use of homes similar in size and age. This new service is provided to TID customers free of charge.

To view the top three video contest winners, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/tidwaterpower