Parkway South Student Wins “Recycling Becomes Me” Essay Contest

Britani Palazzolo is the winner of the “Recycling Becomes Me” essay contest, sponsored by the Saint Louis County Department of Health’s Solid Waste Management Program.  The scholarship was awarded earlier today at Renaissance Assembly featuring recognitions entitled, "There are so many great things about South High.”

Britani is being awarded a $500 scholarship from Curbside Value Partnership, a national 501(c)(3) organization that works with communities to grow curbside recycling programs.

“We congratulate and applaud Britani Palazzolo for her efforts surrounding recycling,” said Steve Thompson, executive director of the Curbside Value Partnership.  “Her leadership and enthusiasm make her a role model, not only to other Saint Louis County students, but to students nationwide.  On behalf of CVP, I encourage her to continue to engage others to make recycling part of their daily lives.”

Britani’s essay was chosen from a pool of essays received from twenty (20) different high schools around the county. Her essay stood out because of its unique and innovative approach to the problem of excess waste packaging. Britani’s essay demonstrated her concern for the environment and her work as a recycling champion in her community.  Britani is a senior at Parkway South High School who plans on attending Maryville University to study art education and graphic design.

Through a partnership with Saint Louis County, CVP created the “Recycling Becomes Me” public education and awareness campaign that celebrates the strong culture of recycling in Saint Louis County by demonstrating that recycling is a part of many different lifestyles.  In addition to providing creative services at no charge to the county, CVP developed the essay contest for 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade students and provided the scholarship to help bring the campaign to schools.

“The essay contest fit the bold and fun campaign theme that recycling ‘becomes’ everyone,” said John Haasis, program manager of Saint Louis County’s Recycling and Solid Waste Management Program.  “Britani’s essay is a great motivator for all recyclers to become even more diligent and to encourage those who haven’t quite gotten started with the recycling habit, to start!”

*The above information was submitted to Patch in a press release from the Saint Louis County Department of Health.