Students from flood-damaged Round Lake Park school win $2,500 in ComEd contest
A group of fifth-graders at a Round Lake Park school flooded by July storms produced a video about the event that has won a ComEd contest and earned $2,500 for the school.
The Murphy Elementary students produced a 50-second video titled "The Flash Flooders" in which they spoke about how the flood affected their school and their families, and how ComEd was there to help restore power to the area.
"Not only the school was a victim, but our house was too," student Aimee Arizmendi said in the video. "It was hard on my family, but ComEd was there to help us."
Murphy sustained $2 million in flood damage, with water as high as 4 feet in some places. Officials say students will be without a gym, library and four classrooms until next school year.
The video was one of eight finalists to be uploaded to ComEd's YouTube page. It won because it received the most likes by viewers.
"This contest is a really fun way for us to engage not only our youth but our future customers," ComEd spokeswoman Linsey Wisniewski said. "We're happy that this school won, particularly because of the flooding they endured."
Jennifer Lichter, a digital age learning coach for Round Lake Area Unit District 116, worked with the students on the project.
"The kids were very excited," Lichter said. "Some kids gave up recess to meet with me."
The students in the winning group were Aimee Arizmendi, Briana Gonzalez Davis, Crystal Flores, Brooke Lauritzen, Eduardo Pedrozo, Logan Ramirez and Iroel Velazquez.
In addition to winning the $2,500 for the school, the seven students in the winning group will each receive $50 gift cards from ComEd. The prizes will be delivered at a party ComEd will throw Feb. 16.
"There will be music, fun take-aways for the students, and also we'll have a ComEd representative present the big check to the school," Wisniewski said.
The party will be hosted at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 420 Greenwood Drive, down the block from the school. The church's basement has served as the place where the school gathers for assemblies and other events.
The prize money will be used to help turn the space that was once the school's library and computer room into a "Limitless Learning Commons," a modern learning facility with customizable furniture and technology.
Superintendent Constance Collins said she is proud of the students and glad they have the chance to contribute.
"It's not just the district and dollars from the insurance company. This is an opportunity for the students to directly help their school," Collins said. "It's our students taking lemons and turning them into lemonade."