MEDIA CONTACT

Monte Shaw 515-252-6249

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               

January 25, 2011                                                                                                                   

IRFA Announces Winners of High School

Renewable Fuels Video Contest

Treynor, Marion, Story City & Jewell Students Collect $4,000 in Prizes

JOHNSTON, IA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today announced the winners of its $4,000 “Fuel the Future” video contest for Iowa high school students.  Students were challenged to create the best video highlighting the importance and benefits of renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, to local communities, Iowa and the nation.  The four winning videos were featured at today’s 5th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit.  The winners were selected by a panel of five judges who combined extensive film, television, marketing, and renewable fuels expertise.

Treynor High School students Spencer Hawk, Alex Severn, Garrett Gibson and Conrad Sain won the $2,000 grand prize for their video entitled “Fuel of the Future.”

Linn-Mar High School student Sam Fathallah from Marion won the $1000 second place prize for his video called “What is Biodiesel?”

Roland-Story High School students Andrew Smith and Kendall Gustafson, both from Story City, won the $600 third place prize for their video entitled “Bio Fuel.”

South Hamilton High School student Marcus Hemphill of Jewell earned the $400 fourth place prize for his video called “The Biofuel Network.” 

The winning videos and all qualifying entries can be viewed on IRFA’s YouTube® channel at www.youtube.com/IowaRenewableFuels.

“The judges were blown away by the creativity and effort the students put into their renewable fuels videos,” said IRFA Biofuels Manager Grant Menke.  “IRFA congratulates not just the winning students, but all those who participated.  This was a great opportunity for students to learn about the benefits of renewable fuels and to share that knowledge with their peers and all Iowans.”

IRFA also thanks the Iowa Office of Energy Independence for helping to make this contest possible through funding from its Iowa Power Fund Community Grant program.  In addition, IRFA thanks Faegre & Benson LLP for its sponsorship of the contest. 

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s ethanol and biodiesel producers.  The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.

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