Okanogan County PUD reached out to the public schools throughout its territory and gathered 207 3rd- and 4th-grade students to participate in a new coloring contest in honor of Public Power Week, Oct. 6-12.

Public Power Week recognizes the benefits of public utilities throughout the nation, including lower average rates, faster average outage response times, local representation and community outreach.

Coloring forms were provided by the American Public Power Association and distributed to schools by district employees. Most schools in the area chose to participate.

Of the 207 entries that came back, six were selected to be featured on the district's Facebook page and earn a prize. Winners came from Omak, Methow Valley, Okanogan, Oroville and Tonasket school districts. Not only does the individual artist get a unique prize, but the entire class gets something as well (teacher's choice). Prizes were to be delivered the week after the contest winners were announced.