The Woodland Heights Green Team set a goal to recycle 30,000 lbs. of materials this year. The group of students, led by Woodland Heights Counselor, Kimber Bennett, surpassed their goal by collecting approximately 35,066 lbs. of cans, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, paper and more.
The Green Team was originally established during the 2008-2009 school year by first-graders, Jordan Roberts and Madison Perry. They approached Bennett with an idea to help the Earth and the Green Team was born. “These two young ladies are currently in 6th grade and frequently check back to see how the team is doing,” stated Bennett. “In the beginning, Jordan Roberts’ mom, Diane Roberts, would come and pick up our recycling and carry it out to the Recycling Center.” Beginning in 2012, a recycling trailer was placed at the school to be used to organize and collect the materials.“The group started with just a few volunteers and evolved into a 20-25 member team,” said Bennett. “The current members have to fill out a two-page application, similar to a job application, complete with essay questions. The students also submit three references pertaining to their personal character, grades, and willingness to work. They must maintain passing grades and have an A/B in behavior as qualifications to be selected for the Green Team.”
The Green Team meets every Tuesday after school at 2:50 p.m. and splits up into smaller teams to collect all the recycling from all of the classrooms. “They have learned teamwork, problem solving, and work ethic throughout the year as they have figured out the most effective way to collect and load all the recycling in the school and what the community has dropped off,” explained Bennett.
The majority of students agreed that paper and cardboard were among the materials they saw the most and that the biggest challenge was finding ways to move it all from the school to the trailer. “We worked hard and used teamwork to get the boxes down to the trailer,” stated Green Team member, Andrew Boren. Another member, Addison Strickland, stated, “When you work together, your goal gets accomplished. Recycling is a good way to keep the world clean.”
The current members of the Woodland Heights Elementary Green Team are, Andrew Boren, Addison Strickland, Case Markum, Daniel McIver, Kaylee Quiroz, Kourtney Peacock, Aidan Howard, Slayde Espinoza, Kylie Chesser, Ataleigh Constancio, Ava Choate, Kassidy Wooten, Addison Strickland, Aishwarya Nigalye, Owen Huntsinger, Luke Gray, Alexandria Touhakis, Jackson Yoder, Aidan Howard, Ethan Waldrop, and Klayton Tervooren.
Last year the team collected 21,466 lbs. of materials to recycle with a goal of 18,000 lbs. and with this year’s results, they have surpassed their goal yet again.
Bennett also expressed thanks to the following businesses and individuals that contributed to the Woodland Heights Elementary Green Team: Depot Liquor, Weldon Wilson Electric, Brown County Jail, Nathana’s, Glamour Shop, Brownwood Regional Medical Center (Ladies Auxillary), Lubke Chevrolet in Brady, Winchell VFD, Brownwood High School (Environmental Science Class), Kristy Owen, Seth Owen, Cole Pennington, Geometry Class (Joanna Young), Life Skills class (Rick Miller), Burl Lowery and Joyce Cornelius (Certified Public Accountants), Ashliegh Witcher, Jason Glass, and Coach Karey Morelock.
Additional photos of the Green Team can be viewed at:
Pictured above: Team members, Kylie Chesser (left) and Alexandria Touhakis (right), prepare to organize and load the recycling for the day.
Above: Green Team member, Jackson Yoder and Green Team Trainee, Molly Oliver, work together to carry a load of cardboard to be recycled.
Above: Woodland Heights Elementary Green Team members load the recycling trailer.
