Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith today praised the efforts of school children who won the 2011 Earth Hour essay competition.Earth Hour was held last month and is aimed at getting people to cut power use for one hour.The competition was sponsored by Belco, Greenrock and the Bermuda National Library, Youth Services.Dame Jennifer said: "I am thrilled to recognise the accomplishments of students from our public and private schools."I must extend special congratulations to the four CedarBridge students Charnae Richardson, Kamel Easton, Jair Duke and Sherrita Bailey who snatched winning spots in the 2011 Earth Hour Essay contest.”She added: “The 2011 Earth Hour essay competition demonstrated that social and environmental issues see no boundaries when it comes to our children, as they are all affected by what takes place in our surrounding community – regardless of whether they are in the private or public school system.“The results were thought provoking and insightful literary pieces, and for me this is further proof of the levels of excellence throughout our education system.“To our winning students - I am delighted to celebrate your achievement, and I urge you to continue to strive for excellence in whatever you choose to do. You are the future of this Country, and when you engage in initiatives such as this you do yourselves tremendous benefit by evolving and expanding your learning process.”The winners were:AGE: 15 -181st Place - Renee Greenslade -- Renee attends St. Margaret's School in Virginia; she has elected to donate the $250 school award to the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy2nd Place Rory Ben Wilson – Warwick Academy3rd Place Tie: Charnae Richardson and Kamel Easton both of CedarBridge AcademyAGE: 12 -141st Place Elizabeth Emma Kook of Warwick Academy2nd Place Tie: Jair Duke and Sherrita Bailey both of CedarBridge Academy3rd Place Brandon Sousa – Mount Saint Agnes AcademyAGE: 9 – 111st Place Nicolas Siese of Somerset Primary2nd Place Malini Romeo – Warwick Academy3rd Place Tie: Ezra Joel-West End Primary and Zakira White –Purvis PrimaryHonourable Mention:Peyton Caldoza – Bermuda High School for GirlsMelanie Soares-Chan – Warwick AcademySean Tucker – Warwick Academy