BALTIMORE (Jan. 23, 2014) – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) today presented

Immaculate Conception School with the 2013 BGE Wires Down Video Challenge Grand Prize at a surprise all-school assembly. BGE President Kenneth W. DeFontes presented a check for $10,000 and atrophy to Father Joseph Barr and the team of teachers and students who created, produced and starred in the winning video. The team was led by teachers Trish Collins, Cindy Fitzgerald and Greg Mansperger, along with parent Jeff Brandenberg. The winning students include Ella Caine, Tyler Cahill, Andy Collins, Jack Donahue, Arden Duval, Dalton Enright, Aniya Jones, Danielle Macek, Amelia Megger, and Michelle Reynoso.

A school known for their students appreciation for and talents in music, art, performance and audio/video technology skills, the school plans to use the award to fund the renovation of their auditorium, including new stage curtains and upgrading the auditorium’s lighting and sound system. At the assembly, BGE representatives praised the students for their perseverance, creativity and their use of both their musical and artistic talents to create their rendition of the original BGE Wires Down commercial that was both innovative and original, helping the students stand out among the other videos submitted.

"We are thrilled to present the students and teachers at Immaculate Conception School with a trophy and the grand prize of $10,000 in funding, as an award for their thoughtfulness, ingenuity and creativity in recreating BGE’s original Wires Down television commercial," said Kenneth W. DeFontes Jr., president and chief executive officer for BGE. "At BGE, the safety of our customers, our employees and importantly, their families, is always a top priority and we congratulate the students and teachers who worked together on this project for their stellar performance and teamwork. The original ‘Wires Down’ commercial was an important part of BGE’s initiative to educate customers on the dangers associated with downed power lines, especially children who may be unaware of the safety hazards, and we are excited to see these students understanding the importance of electric safety.

"It’s also important to note that this team of students competed last year and unfortunately, their video was not chosen," DeFontes shared. "I am proud of the students’ dedication and persistence, proving that perseverance and hard work pay off. They are a shining example to students across central Maryland and we celebrate their commitment and success today."

"We are thrilled for our students and teachers who worked on this video and for our entire school and parish community," said Principal Madeline Meaney, Immaculate Conception School. "This project has helped showcase our growing multi-media program at Immaculate, as well as our students’ creativity and use of technology. We are grateful to BGE for the opportunity to participate in this contest and hope this award will inspire our current students, as well as prospective ones, to realize their full God-given potential here at Immaculate Conception School."

In total, BGE presented nearly $30,000 to ten schools across central Maryland as part of the second annual Wires Down Video Challenge. To view the contest website, complete listing of winning schools and submitted video entries, go to bgevideochallenge.com.

This fall, BGE launched the second annual BGE Wires Down Video Challenge to all elementary schools in its central Maryland service area for a chance to win up to $10,000 toward a school enrichment project. More than 41,000 votes were cast for the 22 videos that were submitted during an online voting phase in December. Elementary schools were encouraged to create their own adaption of BGE’s popular "Wires Down" electric safety commercial for the chance to win up to $10,000 to fund a school enrichment project. Originally produced in 2000, the Emmy Award-winning commercial with its "do not, do not, do not touch" refrain aims to help raise awareness of electricity hazards, especially among young children.

For more information on the Wires Down Video Challenge and electrical safety, visit bge.com.

Immaculate Conception School is a private, Catholic, co-educational school for children in pre-school through eighth grade that provides promising students with faith-centered education in a safe and nurturing environment.

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