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North Texas Students Win President’s Environmental Youth Award

Release Date: 04/22/2011
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Joe Hubbard at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(DALLAS – April 22, 2011) Three students from the Allen, Texas, area are making a difference by educating their peers, community and the nation on the effects their choices have on the environment. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will present the regional President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) to Abbie Reeves, Kennedy Bailey and Jenna Barratt for the work they have accomplished with their project, H.O.P.E for the Best Campaign.

“These three students are connecting environmental awareness to a very simple approach to saving the environment – reuse,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “Their commitment is making a difference in the community and to everyone they inspire to make the world a better, cleaner place.”

H.O.P.E for the Best Campaign is an educational initiative to teach communities and students about the long-term and short-term effects of plastic bag usage on the environment. The innovative project encourages others to change their attitude by inspiring behavioral change, rather than changing current laws.
The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation’s natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people across the U.S. for protecting our nation’s air, water, land and ecology. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation’s young people.

The students were chosen from applications in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Applications were evaluated by a regional panel of EPA employees. All student participants receive a certificate signed by the President honoring them for their efforts to protect human health and the environment. 
More information about PEYA at: https://www.epa.gov/peya/basic.html

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

EPA audio file is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/apr2011.html