From Classrooms To Communities: Keep PA Beautiful Young Ambassadors Are Making a Difference

To fulfill their responsibilities as Keep PA Beautiful Young Ambassadors, students are required to host an educational event in their community or school. 

Below are a few highlights of events held so far by our class of 2024-2025. Many more are scheduled through the end of April!

Ava, a junior from Indiana County, partnered with her local library to teach children and their parents about the importance of not littering and taking care of the Earth. She read "Critters Don't Litter" by Adele Roberts and "The Great Trash Bash" by Loreen Leedy to them, followed by hosting a craft activity after each reading.

Erica, a junior from Delaware County, taught 22 fifth graders about the importance of recycling. She explained which materials are recyclable in Delaware County and how to prevent pollution. To make the lesson interactive, she created a game where the students worked together to sort objects into recycling or trash categories. Additionally, she provided recycling-themed word searches for the students to complete together.

Katie, a senior from Westmoreland County, spoke to an advanced class of middle school students about various types of pollution. She engaged them in several activities, one of which involved having the students draw their own towns. To simulate rain, she then had them spray their drawings with water. Afterward, they discussed runoff pollution and brainstormed ways to reduce it.

At the recent Policy and Practice training, four Young Ambassadors presented their community assessments and accepted feedback from our special guests and policy professionals Kelsey DeMerlis, Director, Center for Community Services, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and Marisa Balanda, Deputy Policy Director, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation--

-- Hannah, junior, Dauphin County - The Road to Recycling at Susquehanna Township High School

-- Masa, 11th grade, Erie County - Waste Reduction in Fairview Township

-- Callum, 10th grade, Schuylkill County - Assessing Illegal dumping in McAdoo and Kline Township 

-- Noori, 11th grade, Chester County - Stormwater Pollution KPB Community Assessment

Apply In April

The next round of applications for the 2025-2026 Program Year will be opening in April.

Visit the Keep PA Beautiful Young Ambassadors to learn more.

Other Articles:

-- Keep PA Beautiful Partners Recognized Nationally

-- Register Your Pick Up Pennsylvania Cleanup Event Today!

-- Enter Your Pick Up PA Cleanup In Lens On Litter Photo Contest

-- Keep PA Beautiful Celebrating 35 Years

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel.

The 2025 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative now registering events!  Questions should be directed to Michelle Dunn at 1-877-772-3673 Ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

Keep PA Beautiful helps mobilize over 100,000 volunteers a year to pick up litter, clean up illegal dumping and beautify Pennsylvania.

(Photo: Erica teaches fifth grade students all about recycling.)

(Reprinted from the latest newsletter from Keep PA Beautiful.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Articles:

-- From Classrooms To Communities: Keep PA Beautiful Young Ambassadors Are Making a Difference  [PaEN] 

-- Keep PA Beautiful Open Your Eyes To Litter In A Watershed Activity Books Now Available In English, Spanish  [PaEN] 

-- ClearWater Conservancy: Stream Of Volunteers Needed For 29th Watershed Cleanup Day April 12 In Centre County  [PaEN]

[Posted:  March 13, 2025]  PA Environment Digest