Green Youth Award Recipients
2004
On November 15, 2004, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of
Governor Blagojevich presented the Governor's Green Youth Awards, recognizing
4 outstanding environmental protection and conservation projects by Illinois
young people.
Winners for the 2004 Green Youth Awards are:
Hyde Park Elementary School, Winnetka
Jean B. Schreiber, Sponsor
"Lake Michigan Jr. Science Corps."
In the fall of the 2003-2004 school year the fifth grade students in Mrs.
Elaine Asma’s class at Hyde Park Elementary School in Waukegan decided
to design a project that would enable each student to better understand the
ecosystems that make up their schools environment on Yeoman Creek and Lake
Michigan.
The students divided into small groups to independently study amphibians,
reptiles, plants, butterflies and the community of the Creek and Lake.
Pontiac Township High School, Pontiac
Paul Ritter, Sponsor
"Ecology Billboard"
Pairs of students developed billboards to increase awareness and show ways
to help save some aspect of the environment. Billboards were graded on message,
color, neatness, ability to provoke thought, and originality. The group judged
the billboards and the winner was displayed on Route 23 next to the Livingston
County Landfill.
Mr. Ritter’s ecology class won a Green Youth Award in 2002, for their
storm sewer-stenciling project.
Jerry Wang, Chicago
Jie Wang, Sponsor
"Killers in the Lake"
This project required samples of Myriphyllum spicatum and water from Lake
Michigan as well as five common household items – motor oil, steel, detergent,
acidic liquids, and alkaline liquids – and observing and testing the
effects of these household pollutants on the lake weeds over a three-week period.
Jerry won an Environmental Excellence Award, Outstanding Achievement Distinction,
from the IEPA at the 2004 state science fair.
Nicholas Pruitt, Carlyle
Robin L. Pruitt, Sponsor
"Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project, Reforestation Tree ID & Education"
Nick planned a reforestation and education project for his Eagle Scout Leadership
Service Project. In addition to planning the project, Nick had to plan a way
to fund it. He held a memory Tree Sale from November 15 – December 15,
2002. Trees purchased were planted in memory or honor of someone. He contacted
the Bond County Soil and Water Conservation District and they agreed to sell
the trees at a discount. A total of 171 trees were sold for $5.00 and $10.00.
The price included the tree, fertilizer, a location marker and free planting.
In April Nick solicited volunteers from his scout troop, Troop 225 from Breese
to help plant the trees. They were trained to plant the trees and were given
a copy of planting instructions for reference. A coordinated planting calendar
was made so all of the trees would be planted in one week. Nick and his mother
sorted the trees and kept them moist until their planting date.
Nick was able to purchase 52 trees and the books for schools in Clinton and
Bond counties.
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