TONKAWA, Okla. - From those of us actively involved in promoting a clean environment as their vocation, the Tonkawa tribal environmental program sends their congratulations to the mighty Recyclinators”.
These ten students - Alvin Moore, Devin Horinek, Jayke Ratliff, Joe Denny, Jenna Adcock, Hailey Engle, Shelby Hinton, Jessi Buntt, Caleb McLain and Kristen Hatchett make up the team from Frontier school near Red Rock , Okla. that won a nationwide competition, the Lexus Eco Challenge. A comparatively small, semi-rural school with only about 400 students overall, and approximately 60% of Native American descent, Frontier was one of sixteen schools to bring home $10,000.00 in scholarships. This was a truly prodigious feat considering this was their first entry against numerous much larger schools with veteran teams. They will now compete in The Final Challenge for one of two $30,000.00 grand prizes but importantly, a statement is being made by these 10 young people. The time and energy the young Recyclinators have devoted to protecting Mother Earth says loud and clear, “we care and it is cool to be part of a project so worthwhile.” This spirit embodies our native philosophy that encourages all to leave the natural world a better place for our coming generations. Tonkawa tribal President, Don Patterson, when learning of the victorious Frontier team said, “These young people are today's eco-warriors and their good works make them shining examples for all of us, young and old. Mother Earth needs all our help.”
So thank you to the Recyclinators for their hard work and Frontier school for their support. We will watch and wait for the latest news on the mighty Recyclinators and the Final Challenge. Oh yes, we will remind all to stop polluting and recycle, recycle, recycle.