High schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio will have the chance to win $10,000 during the 2013-2014 school year, courtesy of CONSOL Energy Inc. and its new CONSOL Power Up Contest. 

In partnership with 43 schools in PA and 5 schools in Ohio, the company is launching the CONSOL Power Up Contest, a scholastic program designed to educate the community and showcase school spirit.

The 8-month challenge is powered by social media and will allow students and the public to vote for their school and will provide educational information about how coal and natural gas power the nation.

CONSOL Power Up is a new initiative of CONSOL Energy's community investment program, whose goal it is to support organizations and activities that enjoy wide community support and that benefit the most people. 

Education is the core of building a new generation of community leaders and CONSOL Energy is committed to fostering educational initiatives in the areas in which its employees work and live.

"CONSOL Energy has supported high schools within our operating footprint for many years. Our Power Up program is an extension of that commitment," commented Laural Ziemba, Director of Community Relations. "Through this new initiative, which has a substantial social media component, we hope to establish new channels of communication with students, their families and educators, while at the same time be able to supply two lucky schools with a deserving monetary boost."

A new interactive feature on CONSOL Energy's Facebook page will link to the CONSOL Power Up site.  CONSOL will be hosting mini contests via Facebook providing the opportunity to win other prizes, including Pittsburgh Penguins tickets, concert tickets and Pittsburgh Penguins attire.

Any individual with a valid email address can participate by visiting the site and voting.

The school in each state with the most votes will be awarded a $10,000 grant in May 2014.  Throughout the school year, students can log on to the CONSOL Power Up website and view the leaderboard, which will keep a running tally of all votes.

9/2/2013