Supporting Community Education at SunPowered

McLouth High School team competing in the SunPowered Student Challenge: 

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From left to right: Caleb Baze, My’Aunia Williams, Henry Wahl, and Holland Evans, instructor. (Photo Credit: Pittsco Education) 

On February 5th, 2024, teams of students from 11 schools across Kansas joined together in Topeka for the first SunPowered Student Challenge. 

FreeState Electric Cooperative sponsored the McLouth High School student team to support them in traveling to, and attending, this exciting educational opportunity. 

This statewide competition brought high schoolers together to perform challenges, present findings, and prove their solar energy knowledge in front of industry professionals. This brand-new competition sought to bring real-world electricity knowledge and industry practices to high school-aged students in their home state. 

As solar energy becomes more prevalent, it becomes more important to educate future consumers about responsible energy consumption, local jobs in electricity, and degrees available in local colleges. FreeState Electric is proud to support educational efforts on energy consumption and solar energy. 

“The SunPower Challenge is a great way for FreeState to introduce not only the importance of responsible energy use, but also get students interested in energy-related career paths,” said Sarah Farlee, Communications Manager. “Every chance we get to engage our youth is a win-win for the future of our industry.”  

“Two of the guiding cooperative principles are Education, Training and Information, and Concern for Community,” Farlee said. “Funding and supporting developmental programs like this that seek to improve access to education in our communities is just one way we fulfill FreeState’s responsibility to give back.” 

Congratulations to the McLouth High School SunPowered Team on a job well done!