Eastern Student Paul Stenko Places in eesmarts Playwright Contest

2017 Jul 14

Four Eastern Connecticut State University students swept the college category of the 13th annual eesmarts Student Contest this past June after writing four kid-friendly plays about energy efficiency and environmentalism.

Among the four Eastern victors was Paul Stenko '17 of Bloomfield, who tied for first place (with another Eastern student) with a play titled "A Conservation Carol." Stenko majors in Business Administration.

The eesmarts Student Contest is a program of Energize Connecticut that encourages students to showcase their knowledge of energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability. Over 1,200 Connecticut students in grades K-12 and college competed in this year's contest. Forty-three finalists were recognized at the June award ceremony at the State Capitol.

In describing the plot, Stenko says: "Based upon the classic 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens, 'A Conservation Carol' brings back the ever-ornery Ebenezer Scrooge. Earth Day is right around the corner and Scrooge has hired a new assistant, Bob, who wants to help him be more sustainable, but Scrooge doesn't want to change his wasteful ways and fires Bob. That night Scrooge is visited by three ghosts that teach him various lessons about the importance of saving energy and being green. With a little help from these ghosts and his assistant Bob, Scrooge learns the value of sustainability and why he should celebrate Earth Day too."

"With on-going advancements in renewable energies, green building and energy efficient technologies, it is imperative that we equip our students to not only be environmentally conscious but to succeed in this emerging industry," said May Sotos at the ceremony, Connecticut's deputy commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. "It's an honor to be a part of an initiative like eesmarts that encourages students to expand their knowledge and skill set in this subject, and brings their vision of an energy-efficient society to life."