Kentucky students and teachers were recognized for their accomplishments at the Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools (KGHS) program and the Kentucky National Energy Education Development (KY NEED) Project’s 10th annual Youth Summit and Awards Luncheon in Frankfort.
KGHS is a program of the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC).
The event recognized students and their outstanding projects in promoting school and community health and environmental sustainability. Examples of student projects included: worm composting at Providence Montessori Middle School; updating an outdoor classroom with benches made of recycled plastic caps at Morton Middle School; and teaching peers about healthy eating choices at Kit Carson Elementary School. In the morning, students showcased their energy, health and sustainability school projects to their peers, teachers and leaders in education, industry and environmental fields. Kentucky Education Commissioner Dr. Stephen Pruitt was the event’s featured speaker.
More than 200 students and teachers participated and were recognized for their efforts. Carla Trisko of Morton Middle School in Fayette County was recognized as the KGHS Teacher of the Year. Additional KY NEED schools were also honored for their projects.
Virginia Chance School Green Team students received an award in 2016 for projects including designing and building a large rainwater catchment system to water plants in their greenhouse and hosting a rain barrel workshop. (Photo by Elizabeth McNulty)
“We are extremely proud of the schools that completed KGHS projects. The students, with the support of their teachers, have made significant improvements to the environment in a variety of ways,” Billy Bennett, executive director of KEEC in the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. “We are also grateful to Commissioner Pruitt for speaking and taking part in today’s celebration of their efforts.”
The following eight KGHS schools received awards:
• Kit Carson Elementary School in Madison County
• Lloyd Memorial High School in Kenton County
• Morton Middle School in Fayette County
• Providence Montessori Middle School in Fayette County
• Redwood Cooperative School in Fayette County
• Pikeville High School in Pike County
• Virginia Chance School in Jefferson County
• West Hardin Middle School in Hardin County
For more information about KGHS, please visit http://greenschools.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
