Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment
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Local students have created new road signs to welcome drivers to Jackson County and remind them to take pride in the community’s appearance. The five signs soon will be erected along major roads leading into Jackson County.
The signs were designed by 4th and 5th grade students from McKee, Sand Gap and Tyner Elementary Schools. More than 350 students submitted sign designs in a contest organized by Jackson County PRIDE Environmental Education Coordinator Wonda Hammons.
The five winning designs were created by Kyra Ball, Sarah Hines and Kyleigh Lewis from Tyner Elementary, Haley Collins of McKee Elementary, and Casey Lainhart of Sand Gap Elementary.
The county’s 4th and 5th graders, along with their principals and teachers, saw the winning designs unveiled in a ceremony at the Jackson County Area Technology Center on Jan. 21. Other participants included Judge-Executive William Smith, Solid Waste Coordinator Barry Spivey, Superintendent Ralph Hoskins, and Jackson County PRIDE Committee members, including committee president Ed Morgan, Jr.
At the ceremony, the three elementary schools accepted the region’s PRIDE Environmental Education Project of the Month Award, which rewards creative, effective ways of showing students why and how to care for the environment.
“I want to thank the students, teachers and local leaders who worked together on this outstanding community service project,” said PRIDE’s Tammie Wilson. “The students learned to appreciate Jackson County’s natural beauty, and their signs will share that message with everyone who drives here.”
Wilson also presented an appreciation certificate to Hammons, who spearheaded the project. As the county’s PRIDE liaison, Hammons visit elementary schools monthly to lead fun, hands-on activities related to state science standards and environmental stewardship. Her services are provided by PRIDE through an annual fee paid by the Jackson County Fiscal Court.
"Watching the students’ faces, I could see light bulbs going on,” Hammons said. “It made them feel like part of their community and helped them realize they can make a difference. I told them they are teachers now and can teach their parents and siblings, and they took that to heart. They were excited to do a hands-on activity.”
Hammons presented the idea for the road sign project to the Jackson County PRIDE Committee in September. The committee strongly supported the project, and Judge Smith said the county would make and post the road signs. Hammons worked with 4th and 5th grade classes to think of ways to convince drivers to take care of the community’s beautiful environment. Students turned their ideas into artwork and slogans that would fit on road signs.
Individuals and organizations that contributed to the project include: Judge Smith; Barry Spivey; Craig Bowels; Ed Morgan, Jr.; Cathy Howell and the Jackson County Extension Office; Judy Ball; Faye Needly; Vickie Gabbard; Linda Marcum; McKee Elementary teachers Mandy Turner and Jenny Wilson; Sand Gap Elementary teacher Diane Rose and Family Resource Center (FRC) Coordinator Brook Bellamy; Tyner Elementary teachers Jody Madden and Lisa Gabbard and FRC Coordinator Ruth Sizemore; Jackson County Board of Education; Jackson County Area Technology Center; and Jackson County Road Department.
All Jackson County residents can do their part to keep local roads clean during Spring Cleanup Month in April. To volunteer to pick up litter in April, please call Barry Spivey at 606-287-7688.
PRIDE is a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental cleanup and education efforts in 38 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky. ###
PRIDE
The Center for Rural Development
2292 South Highway 27
Somerset, KY 42501
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