Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Shaun McGrath recently visited Lake County Intermediate School in Leadville, Colorado, to award a group of fourth-graders with the President’s Environmental Youth Award.
“This special group of fourth-graders reflects the best of the environmental and community leadership happening in Leadville and Lake County,” McGrath said. “It’s one thing to raise awareness, but it’s quite another to work to change policies and practices and make a real difference in preventing pollution. The Styrofoam Stoppers are an inspiring example of what’s possible when young students follow through on an idea.”
The group, the Styrofoam Stoppers, developed a program to prevent the entire Lake County School District from using Styrofoam, which does not break down in landfills, for food service. The students achieved this goal by working with local non-profit Cloud City Conservation Center to garner funding to replace styrofoam with reusable plates and cups.
“The Styrofoam Stoppers represent everything we want our students to be: inspired, courageous and able impact the world beyond themselves,” Lake County School District Superintendent Dr. Wendy Wyman said. “Their advocacy has created real change in our district and serves as a model for both kids and adults. We are incredibly proud of them and their accomplishment.”
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