​$30,000 awarded to 13 schools

BALTIMORE (May 23, 2018) – BGE surprised students at Krieger Schechter Day School (KSDS) in Baltimore County today, awarding $10,000 along with a trophy to Mr. Alex Thaler and his class for creating the grand prize-winning video in the company's Wires Down Video Challenge.

The annual contest encourages elementary schools to create their own version of BGE's popular "Wires Down" electric safety commercial for the chance to win between $500 and $10,000 to fund a school enrichment project. The winning video will be played on all four Baltimore area television stations.

"Krieger Schechter Day School is a shining example of an engaged, active campus and it's a privilege to celebrate their unprecedented third straight grand prize win in BGE's Wires Down Video Challenge," said Stephen J. Woerner, president and chief operating officer for BGE. "Safety is one of BGE's core values, and the administration and students here are clearly committed to learning about electrical safety. I appreciate their enthusiasm and creativity and encourage all schools to take part in the future."

KSDS plans to use the grand prize to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) school programs. A portion will also support their Weekend Backpack Program, which provides Baltimore City school students and their families food for the weekend.

BGE's Wires Down Video Challenge is geared towards elementary schools in its central Maryland service area. This year, more than 61,000 votes were cast during online voting in April for the videos that were submitted by 13 schools from across Maryland.  Originally produced in 2000, the Emmy Award-winning BGE "Wires Down" commercial with its "do not, do not, do not touch" melody aims to help raise awareness of electricity hazards, especially among young children.

BGE will award a total of $30,000 to these winning schools:

• BGE Star Power ($10,000): Krieger Schechter Day School (Pikesville)
• BGE Spotlight Award ($5,000): Archbishop Borders School (Baltimore City)
• Cast 'n Crew Award ($3,000): Perry Hall Christian School (Perry Hall)
• Director's Cut ($3,000): Monarch Global Academy (Laurel)
• Music Maestro ($3,000): Fallstaff Elementary Middle School (Baltimore City)
• Screen Gem ($1,000):
• Baltimore County: St. Stephen School (Kingsville)
• Carroll County: St. John Westminster Catholic School (Westminster)
• Harford County: Fountain Green Elementary School (Bel Air)
• Special Judge's Panel Award ($1,000): Jarrettsville Elementary School (Jarrettsville)

• Rock the Vote Award ($500): St. Joseph Fullerton School (Baltimore City)
• First Time Entry Prize ($500): Stoneleigh Elementary School (Towson)
• Rising Star Award ($500):
• North Bend Elementary (Jarrettsville)
• Our Lady Hope/St. Luke School (Baltimore/Dundalk)
  

To date, BGE has awarded $174,000 to 44 elementary schools across its service area central Maryland through the Wires Down Video Challenge. For more information on the contest and for a complete listing of winning schools and submitted video entries, visit bgevideochallenge.com.

Public and private elementary schools in the BGE service area are also welcome to schedule free, in-person safety demonstrations from BGE safety experts who arrive in utility bucket trucks or other service vehicles. To schedule a demonstration, please email our community affairs team at BGEEducationalOutreach@bge.com.

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BGE, founded in 1816 as the nation's first gas utility and headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility. The company's approximately 3,200 employees are committed to safe and reliable power delivery to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. J.D. Power's 2017 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study ^SM ranked BGE highest in customer satisfaction with business electric service in the east among large utilities. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $5 billion of output in its service area, supporting more than 9,500 local jobs and producing $923 million in labor income. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's leading competitive energy provider. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube  and Flickr.