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ESS Honors Five Local Education Heroes with 2026 Impact Awards

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ESS, a national talent and management solution, has selected and awarded five substitute teachers as winners for their 12th Annual Impact Awards! The 2026 honorees were each recognized at their school districts, receiving a $5,000 cash prize and an additional $2,000 to donate to their school of choice.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — ESS today announced the recipients of its 2026 Impact Awards, recognizing five exceptional substitute educators for their dedication, reliability, and positive impact on students and school communities nationwide.

“They show up prepared, adaptable, and committed to supporting students and educators wherever they are needed most. This recognition is about honoring the consistency, care, and professionalism they bring to classrooms across the country each day.” -Steve Gritzuk

The annual award recognizes ESS employees who consistently go above and beyond in support of students, teachers, and school districts. This year’s honorees were selected for their professionalism, flexibility, and meaningful contributions in classrooms across the country.

“Our Impact Award recipients embody what ESS strives for in every partnership with schools,” said Steve Gritzuk, Chief Operating Officer at ESS. “They show up prepared, adaptable, and committed to supporting students and educators wherever they are needed most. This recognition is about honoring the consistency, care, and professionalism they bring to classrooms across the country each day.” -Steve Gritzuk

Chris Delph – Guy-Perkins School District, AR

Since joining ESS in 2025, Chris has filled more than 150 absences at Guy-Perkins Elementary School. Known for his flexibility, positivity, and ability to connect with students, he has become a trusted and valued presence throughout the school community.

“His calm presence and voice make it easier for that student to regulate himself and return to the classroom,” said Tim Barnes, Principal.

Lisa Kelly – School District of Philadelphia, PA

Lisa has been a substitute with ESS since 2023, filling more than 500 assignments throughout the School District of Philadelphia. Her positive attitude, high standards, and willingness to support both students and colleagues have made a lasting impact across the district.

“Lisa Kelly is a central force within any school community.”

Melanie Serafin – Union County Public Schools, NC

Since joining ESS in 2023, Melanie has filled more than 500 absences at Weddington Elementary School. Her leadership, reliability, and dedication to supporting students and staff—particularly within the EC department—have made her an essential part of the school community.

“Ms. Serafin is an indispensable pillar of our school community,” said Fara Orr, Bookkeeper.

Ana Ringhofer – Frisco Independent School District, TX

Ana has served as a substitute with ESS since 2019, filling more than 500 absences at Corbell Elementary School. Her flexibility, dependability, and long-standing commitment to students and staff have made her a valued and familiar presence across the campus community.

“Ana is a tried-and-true substitute who is incredibly dependable, committed, and always willing to step in wherever help is needed,” said Michelle Garcia, Secretary.

Gabrielle Rogers – David Douglas School District, OR

Since joining ESS in 2021, Gabrielle has filled more than 800 absences across David Douglas School District. Her adaptability, strong leadership in the classroom, and commitment to creating supportive learning environments have made her a trusted and dependable presence for both students and staff.

“Gabby’s flexibility, professionalism, and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable asset to our school community,” said Amber Cowgill, Principal.

To read more about the winners and their stories, visit: https://ess.com/blog/2026-impact-award-winners/

About ESS:

Established in 2000, ESS is a leading national provider of managed solutions in K-12 education. It recruits, hires, trains, places, and manages qualified substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and other support staff for school districts throughout the United States.

Each day, the organization fills more than 35,000 daily, long-term, and permanent school assignments for over 1,200 school system partners, serving approximately 5.5 million students.

For more information, call (877) 983-2244 or visit ESS.com.

Media Contact

Catherine Kennedy, ESS, 1 9044280889, ckennedy@ess.com, ess.com

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SOURCE ESS

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Saab receives order for RBS 70 NG from Finland

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STOCKHOLM, Aug. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Saab has signed a contract and received an initial order from The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command for deliveries of the RBS 70 NG air defence solution. The order value is SEK 1.2 billion

The new contract also enables Finland to place additional future orders for the RBS 70 NG as well as training, spare parts and maintenance equipment.

“We are proud to continue supporting Finland’s Defence Forces and contributing to keeping the nation’s skies safe. With RBS 70 NG, Finland will receive a state-of-the art short-range air defence capability to effectively meet evolving aerial threats,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

The Finnish Defence Forces has been a user of the previous version of RBS 70 since 2008. The latest generation, RBS 70 NG, features the unjammable laser-guided missile while also adding a range of new capabilities, such as an automatic target tracker and built-in night capability which further increase hit probability and enhance operational use. 

Contact

Saab Press Centre
+46 (0)734 180 018
presscentre@saabgroup.com

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/saab/r/saab-receives-order-for-rbs-70-ng-from-finland,c4388686

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SOURCE Saab

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4‑Year Running: Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) Appears at Gamescom, Partnering with European Game Studios

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COLOGNE, Germany, Aug. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) returned to Gamescom for the fourth consecutive year, presenting a full-lifecycle security framework for complex game operations. During the event, ACE and Tencent Cloud signed a partnership agreement with German game developer Sandbox Interactive GmbH. The Android client of Sandbox Interactive’s sandbox MMORPG Albion Online will integrate ACE Anti-Cheat Standard, with the protected version scheduled to launch by the third quarter of 2026.

As games expand across platforms and regions, security risks increasingly extend beyond individual matches. Cheating can affect competitive fairness, player assets, virtual economies and the long-term health of live-service titles. Developers therefore need security systems that evolve alongside changing gameplay, operating environments and threat patterns.

Drawing on 21 years of experience, ACE connects anti-cheat protection, game and client hardening, in-game economic risk management and game threat intelligence. By combining technical defense with risk assessment and ongoing operational support, ACE helps mobile and PC developers move from responding to isolated incidents toward managing security throughout the game lifecycle.

ACE and Tencent Cloud formalized their cooperation with Sandbox Interactive during Gamescom, bringing ACE’s mobile game security experience to Albion Online. The title combines cross-platform gameplay with a player-driven economy, where combat, resource production, trading and persistent player assets are closely connected. Following more than a year of evaluation, testing and technical consultation, Sandbox Interactive selected ACE Anti-Cheat Standard (for Android), supported by Tencent Cloud’s technical and localized services.

Jon Davis, Technical Director at Sandbox Interactive, said ACE delivered the detection coverage required by the project, while the responsiveness of the ACE and Tencent Cloud teams helped advance the international integration efficiently. He added that stronger two-way validation between the client and server was an important extension of the game’s existing anti-cheat efforts.

Over the past 21 years, ACE has served hundreds of games and hundreds of millions of players worldwide. Its fourth consecutive Gamescom appearance reflects its continued effort to turn security expertise validated at scale within Tencent Games into adaptable services for global developers, helping build fairer, healthier and more sustainable game environments.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/4year-running-anti-cheat-expert-ace–appears-at-gamescom-partnering-with-european-game-studios-302862554.html

SOURCE Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE)

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i2Cool Expands Electricity-Free Cooling Portfolio as Europe Faces Intensifying Heatwaves

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New CorroCool coating extends passive radiative cooling technology to outdoor electrical cabinets, industrial equipment and metal infrastructure

HONG KONG, Aug. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong climate technology company i2Cool has expanded its electricity-free cooling portfolio with the launch of CorroCool, a cooling and anti-corrosion coating developed for metal structures, outdoor electrical cabinets and industrial equipment.

The new product extends i2Cool’s passive radiative cooling technology beyond rooftops and windows into industrial and infrastructure applications, where prolonged solar exposure can raise surface and internal operating temperatures.

Together with the company’s existing electricity-free cooling coatings, membranes, window films and textiles, CorroCool forms part of a multi-surface cooling portfolio designed for buildings, infrastructure and everyday environments.

The launch comes as repeated heatwaves place growing pressure on buildings, public health and energy systems across Europe.

Europe’s Heatwaves Highlight a Growing Cooling Gap

Western Europe experienced an unusually early and intense heatwave between 21 and 30 May 2026. In parts of western France, England and Wales, daily average temperatures rose more than 10°C above seasonal norms, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

The heat intensified in June, which became the hottest June recorded in Western Europe. High daytime and nighttime temperatures increased heat stress while preventing many buildings from releasing the heat accumulated during the day.

Europe’s existing building stock was largely designed to retain warmth. With air conditioning still absent from many homes and older buildings often difficult to retrofit, the region faces a growing need for cooling approaches that can complement mechanical air conditioning without placing further pressure on electricity systems.

Cooling Without Electricity or Refrigerants

i2Cool’s electricity-free cooling technology is based on passive radiative cooling. Its materials reflect incoming solar radiation while releasing thermal energy through the mid-infrared atmospheric window.

This allows treated surfaces to dissipate heat continuously without consuming electricity or using refrigerants.

Rather than replacing air conditioning, the technology can work alongside existing systems by reducing solar heat gain and lowering the cooling load placed on buildings and equipment. It can also provide passive thermal protection in locations where mechanical cooling is unavailable, impractical or too costly to operate continuously.

“Extreme heat is no longer limited to regions traditionally associated with hot climates,” said Prof. Martin Zhu, Co-founder and CEO of i2Cool. “As heatwaves become more frequent, cooling solutions must be accessible, energy-efficient and adaptable to existing buildings and infrastructure. Electricity-free cooling can become part of a broader heat-resilience strategy.”

From Rooftops and Windows to Industrial Infrastructure

i2Cool has developed its passive radiative cooling technology into materials for different surfaces and application environments:

Electricity-free cooling coatings and membranes can be applied to rooftops and external surfaces, supporting both new construction and existing-building retrofits.Electricity-free cooling film can be installed on windows, glass façades, skylights and sunrooms to reduce heat entering through glazing while retaining natural daylight.CorroCool cooling and anti-corrosion coating combines passive cooling with protection for metal structures, outdoor electrical cabinets and industrial equipment.Electricity-free cooling textiles extend the technology to awnings, tents, outdoor products, protective clothing and other everyday applications.

Across completed i2Cool projects, these solutions have delivered rooftop surface-temperature reductions of up to 42.9°C, indoor temperature reductions of up to 10°C and air-conditioning energy savings of up to 42%. Actual performance varies according to climate, building conditions and application type.

Supporting More Heat-Resilient Environments

The World Health Organization identifies heat stress as the leading cause of climate-related death in its European Region, which is warming at approximately twice the global average rate.

Responding to rising temperatures will require a combination of heat-warning systems, public cooling spaces, improved ventilation, shading, insulation, efficient air conditioning and passive cooling materials.

By reducing heat gain directly at exposed surfaces, electricity-free cooling can help improve thermal comfort, protect temperature-sensitive infrastructure and reduce the additional electricity demand created by more frequent extreme heat.

Through the expansion of its product portfolio, i2Cool aims to make passive cooling applicable across a wider range of buildings, industrial facilities and everyday environments.

About i2Cool

i2Cool is an energy-saving new materials company specialising in electricity-free cooling technology. Inspired by nature, the company develops passive radiative cooling materials and solutions for buildings, industrial facilities, transportation and everyday applications.

Its technologies are designed to provide continuous cooling without electricity or refrigerants, helping reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Media Contact
i2Cool Limited
Email: pr@i2cool.com
Website: www.i2cool.com

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SOURCE i2Cool

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