Making a Difference Month will culminate with an awards banquet, similar to the company’s 2019 event, open to the public, at Astra Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 13. 

The contest will include five school-age categories: Kindergarten; Grades 1-3, Grades 4-5; Grades 6-8; and High School. Videos should be creative and be 1 to 3 minutes long. There is no fee to enter. Deadline to submit a video is Oct. 3.

Students are also encouraged to participate in a written essay contest, separate from the video contest, that also promotes helping others and / or the environment. There are four age categories: Grades 1-3, Grades 4-5; Grades 6-8; and High School. Submit a 300-words-or-less personal essay to the email listed above by Oct. 3, 2022. Acceptable themes: 1) How I Personally Made a Positive Difference in My Community. 2) A Person I Most Admire Who Helps Others In Need. 3) The Charity I Believe in the Most — and Why? 4) How Can We Help The Earth For Future Generations? 

The deadline for essays is Oct. 3.

Essay winners will be announced for first, second and third places in each age category. Winning essayists will read their essays on the Astra stage. 

Send essays and videos to Kimball Electronics’ Scott Saalman at scott.saalman@kimballelectronics.com

Keynote Speaker for the event is international professional underwater photographer Alex Rose (who spoke during the 2019 event). Alex (pictured at left), of Chicago, will speak about how she infuses her talents, skills, and passions to make a difference for the world’s oceans. Ms. Rose is a biologist, diver, musician, and underwater photographer. She is the Science Editor of Ocean Geographic Magazine, the Managing Editor of Ocean Geographic Explorers, and Founder of ocean conservation company Blue Ring. Her goal is to find ways to protect our world’s precious marine habitats through diving, writing, photography, education, and research. Alex is a living example of the value of STEM. One of her underwater photos recently won the Judge’s Choice Award in this year’s Ocean Conservancy photo contest.

Admission to the event is $10 per person. Details about the starting time and how to purchase tickets will be announced soon. All proceeds, after event expenses, will go to Kimball Electronics Gives to fund grants awarded to eligible charities and organizations in our communities this fall. Since 2018, KE Gives has granted $33,000+ to various charities. KE Gives is a team of employees who voluntarily donate money to become a Partner for the calendar year.

Questions? Contact Scott Saalman at scott.saalman@kimballelectronics.com Also, contact him if your schools would be interested in Alex visiting your school (or classrooms) on Oct. 13 or 14.