Three schools tops in green energy

Every year the Green Cup Challenge pits private schools across the country against each other to see which school can reduce energy consumption the most. The challenge is divided into regions, with the Northeast Boarding division by far the largest, with 41 schools participating. More than 100 schools took part across the country.The Berkshire School, The Millbrook School, Salisbury School, South Kent School, The Hotchkiss School and Kent School competed this year, and three of them placed.The challenge is held over a four-week period in February. The schools measure the kilowatt hours they use during that period. At the end of the four weeks, the percentage change in usage from the beginning of the competition to the final week is calculated to see who had the highest reduction. The overall winner of the Northeast Boarding division was The Winchendon School in Winchendon, Mass., with a kilowatt hour reduction of 22.5 percent. The Millbrook School took second place in the competition, with a reduction of 12.8 percent. South Kent School and Hotchkiss tied for third; South Kent had a a 11.5 percent drop and Hotchkiss an 11.4 percent reduction. To reduce their energy usage, students paid attention to the little stuff — things like turning off lights when they were not needed and shutting down computers when they went to sleep. The campuses also have been making campuswide efforts to be more eco-friendly. South Kent School’s success in the Green Cup Challenge was rooted in a larger campus initiative to reduce energy use throughout the entire school year, not just during the month of the competition. Contests were held between students in different dormitories to see which building could reduce their usage the most. Schoolwide assemblies were held to educate the students on the link between energy use and climate change. The Millbrook School organized “blackout” activities and no-lights dodgeball games, boosting student awareness of ways to reduce their energy usage, and making the challenge exciting for everyone.