Last week, Welland Hydro-Electric System Corp. awarded another scholarship cheque to graduating secondary students. Centennial student Michelle Kuipers was the recipient of the Welland Hydro-Electric Systems Corp. Energy Conservation and Demand Management Scholarship as a result of the plan she developed for her school.

Working within a fixed budget, Ms. Kuipers’ conservation plan concentrated on three areas for improving energy efficiency at Centennial; lighting, windows and doors, and reducing phantom load.

In addition, Ms. Kuipers went above and beyond by researching various alternative energies and presenting the advantages and disadvantages of each to her class.

This was the third scholarship Welland Hydro-Electric System Corp. had given to graduating students from local high schools this year. The scholarship, which uses funds from the Ontario Power Authority’s Community Initiative Fund, had already been awarded to students from Eastdale and Jean Vanier. Perry Orosz, director of customer service at Welland Hydro-Electric System Corp. was at Centennial to present Kuipers with her $2,000 cheque. “The enthusiasm students have shown towards creating a culture of conservation has been nothing short of amazing,” Orosz said, adding that the utility hopes to continue the Welland Hydro-Electric System Corp. Energy Conservation and Demand Management Scholarship for secondary schools.