HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. () – Three Lowcountry students are in the running for a statewide award for their intelligence and creativity.

“Not My Day” by Jolie Hutchinson, Prynnlee Powers and Simon Van Tonder, was selected as Palmetto Electric Cooperative’s local winner of the 2025 Children’s Book Challenge, sponsored by enLIGHTenSC, an educational initiative of South Carolina’s electric cooperatives.

This year’s competition challenged fourth and fifth grade students to write and illustrate stories that focus on electric cooperatives and the importance of staying safe around electricity.

The Hilton Head Creative Arts Elementary fifth graders said they took inspiration from the talks they had with Palmetto Electric staff before the competition started. They wanted to create something that other kids would notice and hopefully learn from.

“It covers so many different areas. Science, creative writing, illustrating an art. So, it’s a fabulous project for these students to get in and work together as a team,” said Public Relations Manager for Palmetto Electric Missy Santorum.

Jolie Hutchinson said, “I think it’s going to make a difference for kids. You think of kids read it, they will understand it because it’s relatable, Because it’s a kid. And, you know, things could happen.”

Local winners’ books are now entered into a statewide competition for a chance to win $500 and have their winning book published and distributed to elementary schools throughout the state.

“We are especially proud of these students for their teamwork, creative writing and ability to share information regarding the importance of electrical safety and facts about Palmetto Electric Cooperative,” Santorum said.

By inspiring students to learn more about energy in our state, South Carolina’s electric co-ops hope to spark a passion for critical thinking in the minds of tomorrow’s leaders.