Walnut Glen Youngsters Take Part in ‘Super’ Recycling Contest
Article Date: April 9, 2008
The blue and white school colors of Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence recently took on a shade of green as students, parents and teachers competed in a larger-scale version of their monthly recycling program, Cartridges for Kids.
Each month through Cartridges for Kids, Walnut Glen recycles several items including inkjet cartridges, cell phones, laptops, DVDs and gaming systems. Participation in the program enables participants to learn about eco-friendly alternatives to disposing electronic items in landfills.
The competition was expanded this month to include three schools in what was dubbed a “Super Contest.”
“Cartridges for Kids typically offers a contest where schools do a big promotion to encourage the recycling, but they made this on a little bigger,” said Laura Ballard, environmental chairman of the Walnut Glen PTA.“Walnut Glen was chosen as one of the three teams due to high parental involvement and the fact that the school's theme for this entire school year is ‘GO GREEN!’”
Awards were given in two categories on the student level, The grand prize went to the collector submitting the most items. A second award was given through a drawing with students earning a ticket for each recyclable item they brought. One name was drawn and given a choice of prizes.
Eighty students and three staff members collected a total of 949 items with first-grader Jordan Sonsel gathering the most at 208. Mutasim Chowdhury, a fourth grader, finished second with 125 items. Both students elected to take home a PlayStation Portable as a grand prize.
Teachers were also eligible for awards. Third grade teacher Brenda Mackay was the leading staff member with 82 items collected. She won a crate of room supplies from Office Depot. Fourth grade teacher Mylinda Crowley had the most participants in her classroom and was granted the opportunity to wear jeans for one week. She also won the staff drawing for a $20 gift card to the store of her choice.