A Whiz Kid with a Flair for Sustainability Efforts

Name: Leo Gray

Age: 10 (4th grade)

School: The Lovett School

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: This Smyrna resident headed up a new recycling program in the Lower School.

Background: Lovett is very involved in sustainability initiatives and currently has a very active Sustainability Committee, made up of students, teachers, and parents. Upper School students have been the most involved in the Sustainability Committee (the student-run part of this committee is called the Green Team) however, the Green Team would like to get younger students involved in the initiative as well. That's where Leo comes in. Leo came up with an idea to recycle football programs at home games (a need that was currently not being met at the time). Leo worked with his fourth grade teacher (Mary Lou Williams) to recruit and organize other fourth graders to join his team in this recycling effort.

How They Did It: The students would approach all game attendees in the stands during the fourth quarter of the game to ask if they could take the programs to recycle. They gathered most programs that way, but the students walked around and collected all the programs that were left in the stadium after the games as well. Leo and his team committed to this recycling effort for all home football games last fall. Leo not only came up with the recycling idea, he also coordinated all volunteer efforts for each game and would like to continue this initiative for years to come.

Other Info About Leo: Leo participates in other sustainability efforts on the Lovett campus and has participated in and been project leader for eco-friendly Hands On Atlanta annual projects for the last five years. In addition, Leo plays the viola in the orchestra at Lovett and plays soccer (on a local team).

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Leo likes to be involved in unique things - things he believes in (like sustainability efforts). He saw a need in the Lower School that needed to be filled - he wanted to make a difference. Leo is extremely competitive - he wants to do things the fastest and the best!