All News Releases By Date

Albuquerque Teen Wins National Environmental Award

Release Date: 4/22/2004
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

      Andrew Rominger of Albuquerque was recognized at the White House today for winning one of 10 regional President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  

      EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene accompanied Rominger to the ceremony. "Mr. Rominger is an excellent example of how each of us can make a difference. His commitment, enthusiasm and resourcefulness make me proud of today's young people," Greene said.

      Rominger developed a curriculum as part of his independent study at Valley High School. He partnered with Stephanie Kasprzak, a teacher at neighboring Lew Wallace Elementary School, to turn his curriculum into a class entitled "The New Mexico/Mexico Connection: A Study of Twelve Migratory Birds." He facilitated a variety of learning experiences for the students, including research write-ups and an artwork component. Rominger is 17 years old and a member of Talking Talons Leadership Center and Conservation Museum in Tijeras.

      Fort Settlement Middle School Peer Assistance and Leadership Students (PALs), a group of 18 students in Sugar Land, Texas, received first runner-up recognition. PALS partnered with Earth Force, Keep Sugar Land Beautiful and Sam's Clubs to survey area residents' knowledge of household hazardous waste recycling. The students are continuing to educate the community by submitting articles to area newspapers, creating public service announcements and preparing a video to help others duplicate their project.

      Michelle Pham and Angel Trieu, 17-year-old seniors at Dulles High School in Sugar Land, Texas, received second runner-up recognition as major contributors to the Youth in Philanthropy program, which partnered with Keep Sugar Land Beautiful to promote litter awareness in the Dulles community and outside the school campus. More than 2,000 students from about 24 school clubs participated.  

      The PEYA program was established by the White House in 1971 and has been administered by EPA since that time.  More information about the President's Environmental Youth Awards and this year's winning projects is available at https://www.epa.gov/enviroed/awards.html.