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School is One of Ten Nationwide to be Awarded
SAN FRANCISCO-- At a White House ceremony today, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency recognized Mesa, Ariz. Roosevelt Elementary
School's Protect the Earth Club as one of ten nationwide to receive the 2002
Presidental Environmental Youth Award.
The school club is a partnership of 4th through 6th grade students,
Roosevelt teacher Melissa Kuhlman and Phoenix corporate sponsor, Honeywell.
The school was selected among entries from western regional states,
including Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and the Pacific Islands.
"These students are tomorrow's leaders learning valuable lessons
early about protecting the environment they will inherit," said Wayne Nastri,
regional administrator for the EPA's Pacific Southwest office. "This
successful project shows all of us the benefits of bringing children,
teachers, parents and business together to raise awareness and improve our
environment."
Roosevelt students gathered nearly five tons of paper for recycling
during the 2000-2001 school year. The club held a neighborhood collection
day for household hazardous waste and invited nearby schools to join them.
With promotion from local media, nearly 6000 pounds of hazardous waste were
collected and disposed of properly.
The students wrote and published a school newsletter about
environmental facts and club activities. Local community leaders and
volunteers came to talk to the club about air pollution and native bird
species. Throughout the year, Honeywell representatives volunteered their
time and expertise to make club activities happen.
The EPA sponsors the President's Environmental Youth Awards to
recognize young people for projects that demonstrate their commitment to the
environment. The program encourages individuals, schools and community
organizations to promote local environmental awareness and channel it into
positive community involvement.
The EPA sponsored Kuhlman and a student from the school's club to
travel to Washington DC during the week of April 15th to participate in the
White House ceremony honoring the ten winning projects from across the
nation.
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