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Pawcatuck, CT School Receives Presidential Environmental Youth Award

Release Date: 04/18/2002
Contact Information: Andrew Spejewski, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1014

BOSTON – In a ceremony at the White House, President George W. Bush and EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today presented Stonington High School's Environmental Awareness Committee with the 2001 President's Environmental Youth Award. The group was recognized as the winner from the New England region.

Stonington's Environmental Awareness Committee was created to establish a recycling program at the high school. The successful program resulted in significant recycling, creating savings in the school's waste disposal budget. A video created by the committee on recycling has been used in educational programs for elementary and middle schools both within and outside of the school district. Last year the school was designated Connecticut's ‘Green High School of the Year.'

"The Stonington High School Environmental Awareness Committee is a great representative for New England, and deserves a lot of recognition," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. "They not only made a real difference in their school, but they've spread the word to others as well. That's real leadership."

The President's Environmental Youth Awards have been presented annually since 1971 to honor students grades K - 12 who develop projects that help protect their communities and address local environmental concerns. One winner was selected from each of EPA's 10 regions