Powering creative currents

Kids' Activities, Local People & Places / 3 minutes of reading /

At York Elec­tric, we know sup­port­ing cre­ativ­i­ty is a vital part of build­ing a brighter future for us all. That’s why we sup­port edu­ca­tion­al pro­grams that inspire young artists to explore their tal­ents while learn­ing more about the role elec­tric­i­ty and com­mu­ni­ty play in their lives. Meet our 2026 win­ners and see how they’re shar­ing their cre­ative cur­rents.

Painting with a purpose

7 Coop­er­a­tive Prin­ci­ples Art Com­pe­ti­tion

A smiling young woman with long curly hair wearing a pink top stands indoors in front of a framed picture.
Kate­lyn Childers

For high school stu­dents, the 7 Coop­er­a­tive Prin­ci­ples Art Com­pe­ti­tion encour­ages young artists to bring one of the coop­er­a­tive prin­ci­ples to life. The win­ner receives $300 and has their art­work dis­played in York Electric’s Oscar Sadler Meet­ing Room for one year.

This year’s win­ner, Kate­lyn Childers of York, cre­at­ed an acrylic paint­ing on paper titled “Spark­ing Aware­ness.” Her piece high­lights the coop­er­a­tive prin­ci­ple of Edu­ca­tion, Train­ing and Infor­ma­tion by show­ing a YEC line­man teach­ing elec­tri­cal safe­ty to chil­dren.

An instructor speaks to a group of children beside a white utility truck carrying a large model airplane mounted on a crane.“I paint­ed a YEC line­man teach­ing safe­ty infor­ma­tion to the younger gen­er­a­tion because I think it is impor­tant that every­one under­stands impor­tant safe­ty con­cerns while nav­i­gat­ing the mag­ic of elec­tric­i­ty,” Kate­lyn shared.

A grad­u­at­ing senior, Kate­lyn says art has always been her biggest pas­sion, espe­cial­ly when it has a pur­pose. She plans to con­tin­ue explor­ing that pas­sion at Winthrop Uni­ver­si­ty this fall, where she will study illus­tra­tion.

Stronger together

Co-op Mag­net Design Chal­lenge

Smiling person with glasses wearing a teal shirt holds up a light blue travel brochure indoors.
Cameron B.

The Co-op Mag­net Design Chal­lenge invites mid­dle school stu­dents to design art­work that cel­e­brates the pow­er of com­mu­ni­ty. The win­ning artist receives $100 and has their design dis­played as a mag­net on each of York Electric’s fleet vehi­cles for a year.

This year’s win­ner is Cameron B. of Fort Mill. At 11 years old, Cameron was thrilled to learn her art­work had been select­ed, mak­ing the win an excit­ing cel­e­bra­tion for her whole fam­i­ly.

Diverse children stand in a circle, holding hands around a large glowing light bulb, with “York Electric Coop” written in orange at the bottom.Cameron loves draw­ing, water­col­or paint­ing, cre­at­ing 3D art and learn­ing about all kinds of artis­tic styles. Her rea­son for cre­at­ing is sim­ple: “I just love art!”

Keep your eyes out for Cameron’s design as it trav­els across YEC’s ser­vice area, remind­ing us all that we’re stronger togeth­er.

A future co-op lineman

Line­men Gear Up for Safe­ty Col­or­ing Con­test

Two men and a child wearing hard hats stand in front of a company truck, smiling at the camera.
Bowen White­sides

For first graders, the Line­men Gear Up for Safe­ty Col­or­ing Con­test is a fun way to learn about elec­tri­cal safe­ty and the linework­ers who help keep the lights on. The win­ner receives $50 and a York Elec­tric hard hat signed by YEC’s very own local heroes.

Illustrated safety poster featuring a cartoon construction worker in a hard hat and gloves beside a utility pole, with safety tips around him.

This year’s win­ner is 6‑year-old Bowen White­sides, son of YEC employ­ee Ethan White­sides.

For Bowen, the con­test was extra spe­cial. His art­work cel­e­brat­ed the kind of work his dad does every day.

“I want to be just like my dad when I grow up!” Bowen says.

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