Submissions for the Power Your Future challenge will close on November 19. Teams across the country will submit an array of solutions that contribute to clean energy initiatives in their schools and communities. Following the close of submissions, a panel of expert reviewers will evaluate all eligible submissions and advance the highest scoring solutions to a panel of five judges. 

The CTE Momentum team is thrilled to introduce the esteemed judges and reviewers who will evaluate submissions against the selection criteria — and thanks them for giving their time and expertise to help inspire students to explore clean energy.

Meet the judges

The judging panel includes experts in career and technical education (CTE), clean energy workforce development, school district operations, and youth engagement. 

  • Alexis Cureton, Energy Delivery Project Manager, Microsoft 
  • Dr. Cynthia Finley, Vice President Workforce Strategies & Innovation, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) 
  • Dr. Kristine Gilmore, Associate Executive Director: Leadership Network, AASA, The School Superintendents Association
  • Chelle Travis, Executive Director, SkillsUSA
  • Darryle Ulama, Technology and Infrastructure Manager, Carbon Capture, Clean Air Task Force

You can read more about the judges and their professional backgrounds here. The judging panel will recommend up to 10 winners to receive an equal share of the $50,000 prize pool. The U.S. Department of Education anticipates announcing the winners in early 2025.

Meet the reviewers

  • Ally Talcott, Build America’s Schools Infrastructure Coalition (BASIC)
  • Archibong Akpan, Subject to Climate
  • Camille Licate, Kids for Positive Change
  • Claudette Mehrhoff, CREATE Energy
  • Colleen McDaniel, Vernier Science Education
  • Ella Jackson, World Resources Institute
  • Helen Watts, Student Energy
  • Jane (Howell) Lombardi, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
  • Kailyn Fox, New York City Public Schools
  • Meghan Groome, New York Academy of Sciences
  • Michaela Ritz, SolarOne
  • Michelle Faggert, Aspen Institute
  • Phoebe Beierle, U.S. Green Buildings Council
  • Shannon Oliver, New Buildings Institute
  • Stacie Bickley, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Zakhia Grant, EcoRise

Submit your action plan by November 19

Submissions are due by November 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET. If you have any questions, you can reach out to us at [email protected].