Abbott Tech Wins $20,000 CL&P Live Green Award

Henry Abbott Technical School students have received a $20,000 grant from CL&P to install a garden and greenhouse that will be built, maintained and utilized cooperatively by all of the departments at the school.

 Mitch Gross, spokesman for CL&P, gave several reasons why Abbott Tech won the Grand Prize Award. “It's community involvement, economical, and it shows that students are thinking about the future. It's all about being Green.”

 Bob Hybsch, Vice President of Customer Operations, was there to present the award. “The presentation of the essay and video by Abbott students told the story about what they wanted to do. The video was outstanding.”

 One of the judges, Dr. Elsa Nunez, described the entry as very forward thinking. Gross agreed and said, “The essay was the only one in the three year history of the award to receive 20 out of 20 points.”

 The essay was inspired by a quote from David Orr, a Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies, and Special Assistant to the President of Oberlin College. His comment, “When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves,” motivated the students to begin to work in that direction.

 Helena Flake, who is in the Mechanical Engineering Department, was one of the six students to accept the award. She described the process of submitting the entry, and said, “Every shop was involved.”

 Another student accepting the award, Kyle Marrick, said, “It was every major department, like a big collaborative. The solar panels will be made by the electrical department. Carpentry will help with construction of the greenhouse kit. Plumbing will do the sprinklers. Drafting did the design.”

 “To earn the award, graphics did the video. Automotive will help with maintanence of the machinery, and Culinary will grow organic vegetables and fresh greens to be used in the kitchen. Hairstyling will help take care of the building and grounds, and we have a garden club that will be involved, too,” said Flake.

 “This is the first time we entered this competition,” said Richard Stebbins, Department Head of the Manufacturing Department and winner of this year's Hall of Fame award at Henry Abbott Tech. “This is really, really good. We thought we might be a runner-up, maybe win $5,000, and we are so surprised to be the Grand Prize Winner.”

 “This is going to be the best environmental project around,” said Stebbins. “When you build something with your hands, you love it. It's very motivating,” said Stebbins, highlighting the fact that student involvement will be the key to the success of this greenhouse.

 Hybsch said the project is a benefit for the school and sets an example for Danbury. He addressed the entire student body in an assembly on Friday, and said, “You can count yourselves the environmental champions of Connecticut. You did a tremendous job of visioning for the future. The project will make Danbury a better place, and Connecticut a better place.”

 According to Gross, this project fit the direction that CL&P is pursuing, as well. The website states, “CL&P along with its parent company, Northeast Utilities, is committed to protecting the environment in Connecticut in everything we do.”

 CL&P is a strong supporter of ecological innovation and has begun efforts to develop electric car charging stations that will enable more people to purchase electric cars. They are currently working with electric companies nationwide to determine the best locations for these stations in all states.

 CL&P also held a series of workshops to teach communities and businesses how to utilize more energy efficient methods. While no workshops are currently planned, many documents and materials from those workshops are available through CL&P.