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Community Corner

Grades of Green Youth Corps Member Named Environmental Hero

Annemarie Dapoz, an 8th grader who is a member of Grades of Green's Youth Corps, was named an Environmental Hero on Saturday by VOICE (Volunteers and Organizations Improving the Community's Environment), a Manhattan Beach community organization.   She received her award at the city's Earth Day celebration at Polliwog Park.

Grades of Green, a national environmental education non-profit, admits several dozen environmentally-minded students into its Youth Corps each year. These students implement environmental projects that improve their local communities as well as Grades of Green's online resources, used by students around the world.  

Now completing her second year as a Youth Corps member, Dapoz is working to reduce waste at her school by implementing a recycling program in her gymnasium at American Martyrs School. Another component of her environmental project is teaching the local parish how to properly recycle and compost during the monthly pancake breakfasts. Dapoz is also the Chair of the Grades of Green Outreach Committee and her passion and enthusiasm at outreach events inspire and empower kids of all ages to care for the earth.  Her counsel for both children and adults: "When people learn how to care for the environment, they discover they can do something. The little things count, and whatever you do matters."

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Three adults were also recognized by VOICE with Environmental Hero Awards: Craig Cadwallader, Chairperson of the South Bay chapter of Surfrider Foundation; Sona Kalapura Coffee, City of Manhattan Beach Environmental Programs Manager; and Joe Galliani Founder/Organizer of South Bay 350 Climate Action Group.

Grades of Green is an environmental education nonprofit dedicated to providing parents, students and educators with free, easy, hands on and fun tools to educate, inspire, and empower pre-K–12 students to take steps to care for the environment.  Anyone who wants to implement sustainability programs can register their school online—at no cost—to get tips and measure their success on reducing trash, emissions, harmful classroom chemicals, plus dozens of other ways to help the environment.  Grades of Green has been honored with many awards, including the U.S. EPA’s prestigious Environmental Award.

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The nonprofit is growing rapidly, with more than 151,000 students enrolled across 36 states and five countries, including many low-income schools. Grades of Green’s goal is simple--to enroll thousands of schools with millions of kids, all caring for the environment and collectively making a difference.  For more information on Grades of Green visit www.gradesofgreen.org.

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