May 1, 2002 Sims honors Earth Heroes at School King County Executive Ron Sims today recognized 19 outstanding teachers, students, staff, programs and schools doing exceptional work to protect the environment at an awards ceremony at Mercer View Community Center on Mercer Island. The recipients were nominated by colleagues and classmates who wanted to recognize the recipients’ on-going commitment to preserving the natural environment through educational efforts. “Our schools play a pivotal role in teaching our children the importance of preserving our environment,” said Sims. “From involving students in hands on environmental projects to setting up effective recycling programs at schools, our teachers, students and staff are making a difference in our schools and ensuring that an environmental legacy is left in this region. “Our Earth Heroes at School are true models of environmental stewardship demonstrating to others in schools, classrooms and communities that we can all make a major impact in protecting our natural environment for future generations,” said Executive Sims. Launched in May 2000, the King County Earth Legacy Initiative celebrates the importance of protecting and enhancing our natural environment. The Initiative outlines a number of innovative programs that are working hard to maintain the rich integrity of our region, as well as our high quality of life. It actively engages the involvement of businesses, local government, organizations, youth, employees and the broader community to make a difference. Award winners in the teacher category include: Cathy Buck (Tolt Middle School in Carnation) Erin Pless (Shadow Lake Elementary School in Maple Valley) Jeannine Sieler (Bellevue High School in Bellevue) Wendy Shol (Crestwood Elementary School in Covington) Level II Teaching Team (Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center in Seattle) Award winners in the staff category include: Tommy Hayes and Jenny Langenbach (YMCA Earth Service Corps in Seattle) Grayce Mitchell (Ballard High School in Seattle) Award winners in the student category include: Nathan Brouwer (Seattle Pacific University in Seattle) Tiffany Gamman (Brookside Elementary School in Lake Forest Park) Kristopher Hughes, Eric MacDonald, Joseph Reding (Holy Family School in Auburn) Megan Stephens (Glenridge Elementary School in Renton) Award winners in the program category include: Environmental Sciences Academy, Mount Rainier High School (Des Moines) Post 84 Garfield High School Outdoor Education Program (Seattle) Northwest School Environmental Program (Seattle) Award winners in the school category include: Cinquegranelli Montessori School (Seattle) Valley View Elementary School (SeaTac) For more information on the King County Earth Legacy program, visit the Web site, at www.metrokc.gov/earthlegacy. Updated: May 2, 2002 Executive's home | Executive's news Executive's e-mail King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details.