Joan Marie Wormus, chair of the Hoffman Estates Utility Commission, presented awards and introduced village leaders at a Public Works open house where students were recognized for an energy-focused essay contest.

The contest, introduced by Wormus as the "Energy Hog" challenge, asked students to identify wasteful energy habits and propose ways families can save. "The contest empowers children to take the lead at home by showing parents and their siblings how to make wise energy choices," Wormus said.

First-place winner Ava Thomas read her essay, which described a fictional "Energy Island" that shifted from nonrenewable sources to wind power after a teacher led an energy-independence project. "Energy Island was once like us using nonrenewable energy until 1 day a teacher named Zoran Hanserman was selected to lead the energy independence project," Ava read aloud. Presenters and attendees applauded her research and storytelling.

Organizers named several winners and thanked teachers and parents for their participation. Presenters called up a group of students to receive awards, including named participants Erin Govi (called aloud), Nathaniel, Anthony Spencer and Stas Zeleniak (not present). The ceremony recognized third-place recipients (including Jacqueline Roach, Declan and Victoria), second-place winner Leila and first-place winner Ava Thomas; organizers said they would visit the Saint Hubert classroom to present two consolation prizes to every participant.

A commissioner who also serves as the village's chamber director announced distribution of the 2025–26 community guide and business resource directory and a "Welcome Home" booklet listing restaurants in Hoffman Estates, thanking attendees for coming and praising the Public Works department for organizing the event. Joseph Neville, director of public works and the commission's liaison, thanked everyone for attending the open house and commended the students and teachers for their work on the essays.

The event combined youth education on energy conservation with community outreach: booklets and resource guides were made available, students received prizes and staff said they will follow up with classroom visits to deliver consolation awards. The organizers closed with additional thanks to participants and teachers.