Annual SSVEC YES Fair celebrates students
Highlighted by a $5,000 scholarship, grand prize winners earning an all-expense paid trip, and $50,000 in awards to some of the 227 students who participated, the 42nd annual Youth Engineering and Science Fair was a resounding success when it concluded Friday night, February 27, 2026.
Sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) Foundation, which supports community grants to enhance local youth programs, the weeklong fair honored students and their teachers in grades fifth through twelfth for their innovative and informative science projects while also encouraging awareness of energy consumption.
Buena High School student Landon Martinez captured the top cash award for the evening with a $5,000 scholarship. Martinez compiled the most overall points for projects he has entered in the fair since he started the competition in the fifth grade.
A total of seven students, all attending Buena High School, captured grand prize honors in the high school division, earning trips to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 9 to May 15 at the convention center in Phoenix.
Daniel Dilone, a sophomore at Buena, was awarded a grand prize for his project, entitled "Two-Phase Electrochemical Detection of L-Tryptophan as a Kynurenic Acid Analog." Together with Buena High School advisor, Beverly Adams, Dilone will join more than 1,800 students in ninth through twelfth grades at the international fair.
Buena High School Juniors, Quintin Lawrence, Jack Campbell, and Alejandro Romero will also be attending the Regeneron fair, earning a grand prize for their project, entitled "Solar Soaring," advised by Amy Martinez of Buena High School Engineering.
The final grand prize was awarded to Buena seniors Jessalyn Lopez, Braden Alexander, and Ethan Juarez for their project, entitled "All Terrain Trash Robot," also advised by Amy Martinez.
More than 350 parents, teachers, and avid supporters attended the awards ceremony Friday night at the Community Innovations Center in Sierra Vista.
“It's always impressive when the community, parents, and educators come out to celebrate the academic achievements of our local students,” said Kristin Gray, Community Relations Manager at SSVEC. “We truly appreciate the judges who volunteered their time to review each project, and our teachers did a great job encouraging their students to participate.”
Displays were set up beginning on Monday, February 23, at the innovation center. On Wednesday, multiple judges interviewed high school students about their work and their interest in the topic of their presentation.
Thursday, the Fair was open to the public and offered the opportunity for people to look at each student project. In addition to the projects, several organizations brought science-related displays for public review, including Gray Hawk Animal Exhibits, Bisbee Science Lab, and Kartchner Caverns.
Fifteen community award sponsors were represented at the fair, including the Shelly Ethell Team at Long Realty, Arizona G&T, Canyon Vista Medical Center, the Gridiron Desert Elite Flag Football, Saguaro Air Solutions, TWN Communications, Lighthouse Electric and Solar, Lloyd Construction Company, Herald Review Media, Greater Sierra Vista Kennel, the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, The Huachucans, and ACE Hardware.
Financial awards presented by the SSVEC Foundation are not generated from member electric bills. The SSVEC Foundation generates most of its funding from uncollected Member Equity payments. When former members leave the SSVEC service area and fail to provide a forwarding address, or in circumstances when repeated efforts to contact a former member fail, these Member Equity funds are turned over to the Foundation and used to fulfill its mission supporting local youth programs, including community grants.
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Highlighted by a $5,000 scholarship, grand prize winners earning an all-expense paid trip, and $50,000 in awards to some of the 227 students who participated, the 42nd annual Youth Engineering and Science Fair was a resounding success when it concluded Friday night, February 27, 2026.
Sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) Foundation, which supports community grants to enhance local youth programs, the weeklong fair honored students and their teachers in grades fifth through twelfth for their innovative and informative science projects while also encouraging awareness of energy consumption.
Buena High School student Landon Martinez captured the top cash award for the evening with a $5,000 scholarship. Martinez compiled the most overall points for projects he has entered in the fair since he started the competition in the fifth grade.
A total of seven students, all attending Buena High School, captured grand prize honors in the high school division, earning trips to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 9 to May 15 at the convention center in Phoenix.
Daniel Dilone, a sophomore at Buena, was awarded a grand prize for his project, entitled "Two-Phase Electrochemical Detection of L-Tryptophan as a Kynurenic Acid Analog." Together with Buena High School advisor, Beverly Adams, Dilone will join more than 1,800 students in ninth through twelfth grades at the international fair.
Buena High School Juniors, Quintin Lawrence, Jack Campbell, and Alejandro Romero will also be attending the Regeneron fair, earning a grand prize for their project, entitled "Solar Soaring," advised by Amy Martinez of Buena High School Engineering.
The final grand prize was awarded to Buena seniors Jessalyn Lopez, Braden Alexander, and Ethan Juarez for their project, entitled "All Terrain Trash Robot," also advised by Amy Martinez.
More than 350 parents, teachers, and avid supporters attended the awards ceremony Friday night at the Community Innovations Center in Sierra Vista.
“It's always impressive when the community, parents, and educators come out to celebrate the academic achievements of our local students,” said Kristin Gray, Community Relations Manager at SSVEC. “We truly appreciate the judges who volunteered their time to review each project, and our teachers did a great job encouraging their students to participate.”
Displays were set up beginning on Monday, February 23, at the innovation center. On Wednesday, multiple judges interviewed high school students about their work and their interest in the topic of their presentation.
Thursday, the Fair was open to the public and offered the opportunity for people to look at each student project. In addition to the projects, several organizations brought science-related displays for public review, including Gray Hawk Animal Exhibits, Bisbee Science Lab, and Kartchner Caverns.
Fifteen community award sponsors were represented at the fair, including the Shelly Ethell Team at Long Realty, Arizona G&T, Canyon Vista Medical Center, the Gridiron Desert Elite Flag Football, Saguaro Air Solutions, TWN Communications, Lighthouse Electric and Solar, Lloyd Construction Company, Herald Review Media, Greater Sierra Vista Kennel, the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, The Huachucans, and ACE Hardware.
Financial awards presented by the SSVEC Foundation are not generated from member electric bills. The SSVEC Foundation generates most of its funding from uncollected Member Equity payments. When former members leave the SSVEC service area and fail to provide a forwarding address, or in circumstances when repeated efforts to contact a former member fail, these Member Equity funds are turned over to the Foundation and used to fulfill its mission supporting local youth programs, including community grants.
A Resilient Leader on the Rise
Meet Elizabeth Fredrick
Elizabeth Fredrick, a senior at Veritas Christian Community School, embodies adaptability and enthusiasm. As the daughter of a military chaplain, Elizabeth has navigated frequent moves across Indiana, Washington, Cuba, Texas, South Carolina, Germany, and Georgia. Throughout these transitions, she has embraced the challenge of making new friends and engaging with community grants that support local initiatives, including her participation in the Youth Engineering and Science Fair, where she explores innovative solutions for reducing energy consumption.
With siblings Elias (15) and Elim (12), Elizabeth's journey reflects resilience and ambition in her community. "I love meeting new people," she says, turning relocations into opportunities for growth. Her leadership shines through her role as the Arizona representative for the National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council. She earned that distinction while taking part in the 2024 SSVEC Washington Youth Tour (WYT). During her time in Washington D.C., Elizabeth was selected after delivering a standout extemporaneous speech; she was chosen as the state delegate by chaperones representing the six Arizona electric cooperatives participating in WYT. Elizabeth recently returned to Washington D.C. and anticipates attending the NRECA conference in Nashville this May — where she will compete for the honor of presenting her speech to the entire assembly numbering more than 1,000 cooperative representatives. The contest includes presenting a five- to seven-minute prepared speech about her WYT experience to a panel of judges, which will also touch on topics like energy consumption and community grants. Beyond academics, where she excels in debate and logic, Elizabeth aspires to become a physician assistant. A passionate volleyball court captain, she's not yet committed to a college but remains open to possibilities, including participating in the Youth Engineering and Science Fair.
25 YEARS IN AMERICA'S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE PAC
With siblings Elias (15) and Elim (12), Elizabeth's journey reflects resilience and ambition in her community. "I love meeting new people," she says, turning relocations into opportunities for growth. Her leadership shines through her role as the Arizona representative for the National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council. She earned that distinction while taking part in the 2024 SSVEC Washington Youth Tour (WYT). During her time in Washington D.C., Elizabeth was selected after delivering a standout extemporaneous speech; she was chosen as the state delegate by chaperones representing the six Arizona electric cooperatives participating in WYT. Elizabeth recently returned to Washington D.C. and anticipates attending the NRECA conference in Nashville this May — where she will compete for the honor of presenting her speech to the entire assembly numbering more than 1,000 cooperative representatives. The contest includes presenting a five- to seven-minute prepared speech about her WYT experience to a panel of judges, which will also touch on topics like energy consumption and community grants. Beyond academics, where she excels in debate and logic, Elizabeth aspires to become a physician assistant. A passionate volleyball court captain, she's not yet committed to a college but remains open to possibilities, including participating in the Youth Engineering and Science Fair.
Highlighted by a $5,000 scholarship, grand prize winners earning an all-expense paid trip, and $50,000 in awards to some of the 227 students who participated, the 42nd annual Youth Engineering and Science Fair was a resounding success when it concluded Friday night, February 27, 2026.
Sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) Foundation, which supports community grants to enhance local youth programs, the weeklong fair honored students and their teachers in grades fifth through twelfth for their innovative and informative science projects while also encouraging awareness of energy consumption.
Buena High School student Landon Martinez captured the top cash award for the evening with a $5,000 scholarship. Martinez compiled the most overall points for projects he has entered in the fair since he started the competition in the fifth grade.
A total of seven students, all attending Buena High School, captured grand prize honors in the high school division, earning trips to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 9 to May 15 at the convention center in Phoenix.
Daniel Dilone, a sophomore at Buena, was awarded a grand prize for his project, entitled "Two-Phase Electrochemical Detection of L-Tryptophan as a Kynurenic Acid Analog." Together with Buena High School advisor, Beverly Adams, Dilone will join more than 1,800 students in ninth through twelfth grades at the international fair.
Buena High School Juniors, Quintin Lawrence, Jack Campbell, and Alejandro Romero will also be attending the Regeneron fair, earning a grand prize for their project, entitled "Solar Soaring," advised by Amy Martinez of Buena High School Engineering.
The final grand prize was awarded to Buena seniors Jessalyn Lopez, Braden Alexander, and Ethan Juarez for their project, entitled "All Terrain Trash Robot," also advised by Amy Martinez.
More than 350 parents, teachers, and avid supporters attended the awards ceremony Friday night at the Community Innovations Center in Sierra Vista.
“It's always impressive when the community, parents, and educators come out to celebrate the academic achievements of our local students,” said Kristin Gray, Community Relations Manager at SSVEC. “We truly appreciate the judges who volunteered their time to review each project, and our teachers did a great job encouraging their students to participate.”
Displays were set up beginning on Monday, February 23, at the innovation center. On Wednesday, multiple judges interviewed high school students about their work and their interest in the topic of their presentation.
Thursday, the Fair was open to the public and offered the opportunity for people to look at each student project. In addition to the projects, several organizations brought science-related displays for public review, including Gray Hawk Animal Exhibits, Bisbee Science Lab, and Kartchner Caverns.
Fifteen community award sponsors were represented at the fair, including the Shelly Ethell Team at Long Realty, Arizona G&T, Canyon Vista Medical Center, the Gridiron Desert Elite Flag Football, Saguaro Air Solutions, TWN Communications, Lighthouse Electric and Solar, Lloyd Construction Company, Herald Review Media, Greater Sierra Vista Kennel, the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, The Huachucans, and ACE Hardware.
Financial awards presented by the SSVEC Foundation are not generated from member electric bills. The SSVEC Foundation generates most of its funding from uncollected Member Equity payments. When former members leave the SSVEC service area and fail to provide a forwarding address, or in circumstances when repeated efforts to contact a former member fail, these Member Equity funds are turned over to the Foundation and used to fulfill its mission supporting local youth programs, including community grants.
Training for the unexpected:
SSVEC’s Emergency Response Drill
SSVEC’s Emergency Response Drill
SSVEC’s Emergency Response Drill
Highlighted by a $5,000 scholarship, grand prize winners earning an all-expense paid trip, and $50,000 in awards to some of the 227 students who participated, the 42nd annual Youth Engineering and Science Fair was a resounding success when it concluded Friday night, February 27, 2026.
Sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) Foundation, which supports community grants to enhance local youth programs, the weeklong fair honored students and their teachers in grades fifth through twelfth for their innovative and informative science projects while also encouraging awareness of energy consumption.
Buena High School student Landon Martinez captured the top cash award for the evening with a $5,000 scholarship. Martinez compiled the most overall points for projects he has entered in the fair since he started the competition in the fifth grade.
A total of seven students, all attending Buena High School, captured grand prize honors in the high school division, earning trips to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 9 to May 15 at the convention center in Phoenix.
Daniel Dilone, a sophomore at Buena, was awarded a grand prize for his project, entitled "Two-Phase Electrochemical Detection of L-Tryptophan as a Kynurenic Acid Analog." Together with Buena High School advisor, Beverly Adams, Dilone will join more than 1,800 students in ninth through twelfth grades at the international fair.
Buena High School Juniors, Quintin Lawrence, Jack Campbell, and Alejandro Romero will also be attending the Regeneron fair, earning a grand prize for their project, entitled "Solar Soaring," advised by Amy Martinez of Buena High School Engineering.
The final grand prize was awarded to Buena seniors Jessalyn Lopez, Braden Alexander, and Ethan Juarez for their project, entitled "All Terrain Trash Robot," also advised by Amy Martinez.
More than 350 parents, teachers, and avid supporters attended the awards ceremony Friday night at the Community Innovations Center in Sierra Vista.
“It's always impressive when the community, parents, and educators come out to celebrate the academic achievements of our local students,” said Kristin Gray, Community Relations Manager at SSVEC. “We truly appreciate the judges who volunteered their time to review each project, and our teachers did a great job encouraging their students to participate.”
Displays were set up beginning on Monday, February 23, at the innovation center. On Wednesday, multiple judges interviewed high school students about their work and their interest in the topic of their presentation.
Thursday, the Fair was open to the public and offered the opportunity for people to look at each student project. In addition to the projects, several organizations brought science-related displays for public review, including Gray Hawk Animal Exhibits, Bisbee Science Lab, and Kartchner Caverns.
Fifteen community award sponsors were represented at the fair, including the Shelly Ethell Team at Long Realty, Arizona G&T, Canyon Vista Medical Center, the Gridiron Desert Elite Flag Football, Saguaro Air Solutions, TWN Communications, Lighthouse Electric and Solar, Lloyd Construction Company, Herald Review Media, Greater Sierra Vista Kennel, the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, The Huachucans, and ACE Hardware.
Financial awards presented by the SSVEC Foundation are not generated from member electric bills. The SSVEC Foundation generates most of its funding from uncollected Member Equity payments. When former members leave the SSVEC service area and fail to provide a forwarding address, or in circumstances when repeated efforts to contact a former member fail, these Member Equity funds are turned over to the Foundation and used to fulfill its mission supporting local youth programs, including community grants.
SSVEC’s Emergency Response Drill
SSVEC’s Emergency Response Drill
Willcox, Benson, and Sierra Vista each involved SSVEC personnel, who coordinated with local first responder agencies. This collaboration is part of SSVEC's commitment to community grants that support local initiatives, such as the Youth Engineering and Science Fair, aimed at educating future leaders about energy consumption and safety protocols.
“Training like this ensures everyone knows who to call, when to call, and what to expect,” said Matt Riesgo, SSVEC Safety Manager.
Lineman training emphasized CPR and first aid, while responders practiced rapid coordination with the SEACOM emergency dispatch center, a first-responder helicopter service, and local fire, police, and rescue organizations. This collaboration is essential not only for immediate response but also aligns with community grants aimed at enhancing safety measures. Additionally, participants discussed the importance of reducing energy consumption in emergency services. Events like the Youth Engineering and Science Fair also promote awareness and innovative solutions for community safety.
"Emergencies happen," said Steve Garate, SSVEC Training and Development Manager. Through realistic drills and community grants aimed at fostering safety initiatives, SSVEC continues to strengthen safety awareness, teamwork, and readiness—ensuring crews are prepared for the unexpected while also promoting energy consumption efficiency. Additionally, the organization supports local events like the Youth Engineering and Science Fair, further engaging the community in safety and innovation.
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Making the Navajo Nation a bit brighter
With siblings Elias (15) and Elim (12), Elizabeth's journey reflects resilience and ambition in her community. "I love meeting new people," she says, turning relocations into opportunities for growth. Her leadership shines through her role as the Arizona representative for the National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council. She earned that distinction while taking part in the 2024 SSVEC Washington Youth Tour (WYT). During her time in Washington D.C., Elizabeth was selected after delivering a standout extemporaneous speech; she was chosen as the state delegate by chaperones representing the six Arizona electric cooperatives participating in WYT. Elizabeth recently returned to Washington D.C. and anticipates attending the NRECA conference in Nashville this May — where she will compete for the honor of presenting her speech to the entire assembly numbering more than 1,000 cooperative representatives. The contest includes presenting a five- to seven-minute prepared speech about her WYT experience to a panel of judges, which will also touch on topics like energy consumption and community grants. Beyond academics, where she excels in debate and logic, Elizabeth aspires to become a physician assistant. A passionate volleyball court captain, she's not yet committed to a college but remains open to possibilities, including participating in the Youth Engineering and Science Fair.
SSVEC Happenings
Honoring a Visionary: Randy Redmond and the Legacy of the Arizona Firefighters Fund
Highlighted by a $5,000 scholarship, grand prize winners earning an all-expense paid trip, and $50,000 in awards to some of the 227 students who participated, the 42nd annual Youth Engineering and Science Fair was a resounding success when it concluded Friday night, February 27, 2026.
Sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) Foundation, which supports community grants to enhance local youth programs, the weeklong fair honored students and their teachers in grades fifth through twelfth for their innovative and informative science projects while also encouraging awareness of energy consumption.
Buena High School student Landon Martinez captured the top cash award for the evening with a $5,000 scholarship. Martinez compiled the most overall points for projects he has entered in the fair since he started the competition in the fifth grade.
A total of seven students, all attending Buena High School, captured grand prize honors in the high school division, earning trips to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 9 to May 15 at the convention center in Phoenix.
Daniel Dilone, a sophomore at Buena, was awarded a grand prize for his project, entitled "Two-Phase Electrochemical Detection of L-Tryptophan as a Kynurenic Acid Analog." Together with Buena High School advisor, Beverly Adams, Dilone will join more than 1,800 students in ninth through twelfth grades at the international fair.
Buena High School Juniors, Quintin Lawrence, Jack Campbell, and Alejandro Romero will also be attending the Regeneron fair, earning a grand prize for their project, entitled "Solar Soaring," advised by Amy Martinez of Buena High School Engineering.
The final grand prize was awarded to Buena seniors Jessalyn Lopez, Braden Alexander, and Ethan Juarez for their project, entitled "All Terrain Trash Robot," also advised by Amy Martinez.
More than 350 parents, teachers, and avid supporters attended the awards ceremony Friday night at the Community Innovations Center in Sierra Vista.
“It's always impressive when the community, parents, and educators come out to celebrate the academic achievements of our local students,” said Kristin Gray, Community Relations Manager at SSVEC. “We truly appreciate the judges who volunteered their time to review each project, and our teachers did a great job encouraging their students to participate.”
Displays were set up beginning on Monday, February 23, at the innovation center. On Wednesday, multiple judges interviewed high school students about their work and their interest in the topic of their presentation.
Thursday, the Fair was open to the public and offered the opportunity for people to look at each student project. In addition to the projects, several organizations brought science-related displays for public review, including Gray Hawk Animal Exhibits, Bisbee Science Lab, and Kartchner Caverns.
Fifteen community award sponsors were represented at the fair, including the Shelly Ethell Team at Long Realty, Arizona G&T, Canyon Vista Medical Center, the Gridiron Desert Elite Flag Football, Saguaro Air Solutions, TWN Communications, Lighthouse Electric and Solar, Lloyd Construction Company, Herald Review Media, Greater Sierra Vista Kennel, the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, The Huachucans, and ACE Hardware.
Financial awards presented by the SSVEC Foundation are not generated from member electric bills. The SSVEC Foundation generates most of its funding from uncollected Member Equity payments. When former members leave the SSVEC service area and fail to provide a forwarding address, or in circumstances when repeated efforts to contact a former member fail, these Member Equity funds are turned over to the Foundation and used to fulfill its mission supporting local youth programs, including community grants.
Willcox, Benson, and Sierra Vista each involved SSVEC personnel, who coordinated with local first responder agencies. This collaboration is part of SSVEC's commitment to community grants that support local initiatives, such as the Youth Engineering and Science Fair, aimed at educating future leaders about energy consumption and safety protocols.
“Training like this ensures everyone knows who to call, when to call, and what to expect,” said Matt Riesgo, SSVEC Safety Manager.