FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2009
Pawleys Island, Roebuck, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, Columbia schools named year-end Champions of the Environment
COLUMBIA - Five schools and 10 student winners have been awarded prizes at the Champions of the Environment year-end celebration, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
“The Eco Clubs of Lowcountry Day School in Pawleys Island were named 2009 overall Champions of the Environment and received $2,000. The first runner-up and winner of $1,500 was L. E. Gable Middle School in Roebuck. Second runner-up South Carolina School for the Blind took home $1,000,” said Lynne LaSalle, coordinator for Champions of the Environment. “New Directions School with Birchwood School in Columbia and Freedom Montessori in Rock Hill each received honorable mention and $750 for their projects.”
According to LaSalle, Lowcountry Middle School and Senior Eco Club members are turning a neglected stormwater pond on the edge of campus into an outdoor classroom for the community.
“Students have taken the lead on the clean-up of the pond’s perimeter and identifying and addressing potential sources of pollution,” LaSalle said. “Interpretive signs will identify plants and animals of interest in the area, and a collection of lessons is being assembled for teachers to use with classes at all grade levels.”
LaSalle said the enthusiasm of Eco Club students has gained the support of the school’s parent association and strengthened other environmental efforts at the school.
Other groups honored as grant winners for the 2008-2009 school year include Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Oakview Elementary School, Daniel St. John, Saluda Shoals Park Environmental Education Center with Seven Oaks Elementary School, and Walhalla High School.
In addition to honoring the 10 Champions grant winners and awarding overall Champions, 10 students were awarded prizes in the Environmental Awareness Essay and Poster Competition as follows:
Essay:
*First place - Savannah Gossett of Midland Valley Preparatory School, Graniteville
*Second place - Rachel Kupferman of Porter-Gaud School, Charleston
*Third place - William Want of Porter-Gaud School, Charleston
*Honorable Mention - Darryl Kelly of Johnakin Middle School, Marion
*Honorable Mention - Avery Allen of Porter-Gaud School, Charleston
Poster:
*First place - Grayson Ford of L. E. Gable Middle School, Roebuck
*Second place - Connor Whisehunt of Carver-Edisto Middle School, Orangeburg
*Third place - Kayce Hopper of Pinewood Preparatory School, Summerville
*Honorable Mention - Kedar Trivedi of Porter-Gaud School, Charleston
*Honorable Mention - Andrea Gonzales-Del-Valle of St. Peter’s Catholic School, Columbia
Champions of the Environment is made possible through the support of International Paper, Eastman Chemical Company, WCSC-TV, WIS-TV and DHEC, with additional support provided by the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina. The program is in its 16th year of promoting environmental education by rewarding students and teachers for their efforts to improve and protect South Carolina’s environment.
For more information, or to apply, visit the Champions’ Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/champions, or call LaSalle at (803) 898-4394.
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For more information:
Lynne LaSalle - (803) 896-4234
E-mail - lasallli@dhec.sc.gov
or
Adam Myrick - (803) 898-3884
E-mail - myrickar@dhec.sc.gov
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