PA Environment Digest

Jane Hallinan from Altoona Area High School, Blair County, was chosen by PA CleanWays this week to receive the $1,000 Sue Wiseman Scholarship.

Jane received the highest cumulative score among 18 applicants for coordinating a school-wide paper recycling program. Jane’s goal was to create a recycling program that was efficient and easy to use by the 1800 students and 100 faculty members.

As part of her project, Jane educated the student body about the importance of keeping recyclables separate from the trash. Previous attempts to recycle at the school were unsuccessful because of contamination. Jane arranged for the paper to be picked up and delivered to the local municipality where it would be baled and sold to companies in need of raw materials for new products.

When asked if this project has changed her environmental views, Jane responded, “This program has only fueled my desire to make more of a change in my daily life and community. My actions should not harm the environment and I want to let other know that they have options.”

Jane is attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where she will pursue a degree in interior design. Her plans are to become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.

Applicants were judged on initiative and self-motivation, ability to demonstrate leadership, commitment to the environment, use of local resources, partnerships formed, and the project’s ability to educate the public.

PA CleanWays extends many thanks to our judging team: Sue Wiseman, founder of PA CleanWays; Tim Savisky, PA CleanWays Board Member and Professor of Biology at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg; and Shannon Reiter, PA CleanWays President.

The Sue Wiseman Scholarship is an annual $1,000 award that honors youth who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to reducing littering and illegal dumping. The scholarship is open to Pennsylvania youth, ages 16-21, who have initiated and carried out a personal project that addresses littering, illegal dumping, recycling, proper disposal, beautification, or education.

Applications and project requirements are due May 1, of each year. Application forms are available electronically on the Sue Wiseman Scholarship webpage.

The scholarship is named for Sue Wiseman, whose own commitment and dedication to a cleaner environment led to the founding of PA CleanWays, a statewide nonprofit organization that helps people who are ready to take action against littering and illegal dumping in their communities.

Since 1990, PA CleanWays has been dedicated to empowering people to resolve and prevent these destructive problems. PA CleanWays community-based approach has resulted in the removal of 10,584 tons of trash and 383,384 tires with the help of more than 44,986 volunteers.

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