Name: Shannon Ellis
Age: 6
School: Hendrick Hudson Frank G. Lindsey Elementary, Miss Ribeiro’s class
Accomplishment: Shannon won the WHUD’s Earth Day contest at the beginning of the month by answering the question: “Describe ways you and your family can make a difference on Earth Day.”
This was her answer: “I would turn off the television and lights when I am not using them. I ask my mom and dad to recycle the old newspapers. I would also use a reusable water bottle when I bring my drink to school so we don't have so many empty plastic water bottles. For Earth Day my family is going to walk around our neighborhood and ball fields and pick up all the trash on the ground. I don't like it when I see garbage on my soccer field." Shannon and her family won tickets to Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut.
Key to Awesomeness: Shannon did not only provide an excellent answer and win the contest, but she practices what she preaches.
“If I don’t practice recycling, Shannon and her brother enforce it,” said Christine Ellis, Shannon’s mom.
Shannon really believes in caring for the environment, Christine said. She and her brother Braden always remind the family to recycle water bottles, refill reusable water bottles when they can, and to bring recycling with them if there are not recycling bins wherever they are. Shannon makes sure to pick up trash when she sees it in the park to throw in the garbage. “When I have gloves with me,” Shannon said.
“It is a part of their lives,” said Christine, a physical therapist.
“I learned about recycling in kindergarten and in first grade,” Shannon said when asked how she came up with such a thorough answer to WHUD’s question.
Shannon said she was very happy the morning her mom told her she had won. Her father, Terry, a police officer, heard her name called on the radio on his way to work.
Shannon said her win will make her even more likely to continue her efforts to care for the Earth.
In addition to recycling, reusing and reducing, Shannon takes Irish Step dancing classes, plays soccer and lacrosse, enjoys riding her bike and is a girl scout.
