The holidays fell a little brighter at Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative this year, all thanks to the creativity of some amazing third graders in our communities.
This was the first year CVEC hosted its Christmas Card Contest, inviting local third-grade classes to help design the cooperative’s official Christmas card. The challenge? Create a colorful holiday scene that shows what makes CVEC special. Make it festive, fun, and full of co-op spirit. Students from Ohatchee to Fayetteville brought their best ideas to life with linemen decorating Christmas trees and Willie Wirehand in the snow. Each drawing captured the heart of the season in its own unique way.
Once the artwork was collected, CVEC employees cast votes for their favorite. Laminated copies of each school winner’s drawing were displayed for staff members to admire and debate which 1 best captured the spirit of both Christmas and Coosa Valley. It wasn’t an easy choice, but 1 design stood out from the rest.
CVEC is proud to announce that James Calfee, a third grader from Sycamore Elementary School, created the artwork chosen for the 2025 CVEC Christmas Card. Their winning design also appears on the cover of this month’s Alabama Living. Along with the honor, they received a $100 cash prize and 30 printed cards to share with family and friends.
Each participating school also had its own winner. School winners received a $50 cash prize, and their designs are featured throughout this article. Congratulations to:
- Joshua Medellin - Ohatchee Elementary School
- Abraham Catrett - First Assembly Christian School
- Charlee Eades - Fayetteville Elementary School
- Rachel Bell - Munford Elementary School
- Gladys Perez - Salter Elementary School
- Zoey Taylor - Lincoln Elementary School
Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative loved visiting the students to surprise them with their prizes. The excitement was contagious as congratulations rang and photos snapped. “It is always such a joy to be able to recognize someone for outstanding work,” said Kylie Entrekin, Marketing and Digital Media Specialist. “They put so much thought into these designs, and it means a lot to us to showcase their creativity.”
While 2025 was the first year for this contest, it certainly won’t be the last. After seeing the enthusiasm from students, teachers, and our own employees, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative is excited to make the Christmas Card Contest a new annual tradition. 1 that continues to spread cheer and celebrate the creativity in our communities for years to come.
CVEC is so grateful to every teacher and student who took part in this year’s contest. Creativity has filled the holiday season with warmth and cheer, reminding us all what community is really about.