Student teams create short videos to show how every little bit adds up for energy savingsSPOKANE, Wash., Jan 28, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Avista issued the challenge for its Every Little Bit Video contest and high school students from throughout the company's three-state service area stepped up. The result was 138 student-created short videos that inform and inspire others to take part in saving energy and conserving resources.

"Cleaner, Greener, Healthier" from Mead High School (Spokane, Wash.) students Rachael Becker, Shelby Foo and Isabel Apperson was selected as the Grand Prize winner. Mead High School will receive a $2,500 technology grant from Avista and, compliments of NxNW Production, a day of editing with the award-winning production company.

North Medford High School (Medford, Ore.) students Joel Miller, Colton Treadway, Kendall Mulholland, Aaron Collins, Tristan Lee, Christopher Lawruk, James Lancaster and Kyla King received the Viewer's Choice award for their Saving Energy video and a $1,500 technology grant for their school.

Runner-up videos included two additional submissions from Mead High School and a submission from East Valley High School in Spokane, Wash. View the top five videos at www.everylittlebit.com.

"These videos demonstrate the creativity of our area high school students and their drive to educate others about energy efficiency," said Bruce Folsom, Avista's director of energy efficiency programming. "We were amazed by what we saw--some really incredible efforts that clearly communicated the importance of energy efficiency. The judging was no easy task."

Videos were reviewed and scored by a panel of judges from Avista, E-Source, NxNW Productions, 14Four and Pierpoint Media. In addition, students promoted their videos and viewers were able to vote for their favorites online.

"These students are energy users, and as future customers, they'll make important choices about the use of earth's resources," said Roger Woodworth, Avista's vice president for sustainable energy solutions. "By engaging them in the importance of using energy wisely today, they'll be better stewards tomorrow."

Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 353,000 homes and businesses and natural gas to 313,000 homes and businesses in three Western states, serving more than 492,000 customers. Avista's primary, non-regulated subsidiary is Advantage IQ. Avista stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.

Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.

SOURCE Avista Corp.