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Watson’s Lombel is one-man Green Team
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After his win, Lombel (center) posed with his supporters and the architects of his surprise: His teacher, Sherron Jackson (left), Peg Flynn, and Watson principal Shelia Palombo.
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Although he was still a little surprised, Austin Lombel (right) managed to pose with Green Team representative Peg Flynn moments after winning his award.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .The Green Team’s Peg Flynn (left) had the attention of an entire Watson lunch period and principal Shelia Palombo (right) as she introduced herself and prepared to thank student Austin Lombel.
By SARAH FOOR
All year, Watson third-grader Austin Lombel has taken it upon himself to visit every school classroom to gather plastic bottles for recycling.
To reward his exemplary work for the environment, the Green Team surprised Lombel during his lunch period Feb. 7 with a certificate of appreciation and a bag of recycled goodies.
Before the big surprise, his teacher, Sherron Jackson, took some time to explain Lombel’s efforts.
“Every day, Austin travels to everyone’s classrooms to take their water bottles for recycling. It’s a project he took up completely by himself, and he’s very dedicated to the work. Every day, he gathers 30 to 50 plastic bottles that would just go to landfills otherwise.”
Peg Flynn visited Watson on behalf of the Green Team to honor Lombel.
“We can’t thank Austin enough for his service to the environment. We have a paper recycling program here in the schools, but Watson and some other schools don’t have a plastic program. Austin is definitely his own Green Team here at Watson for plastics, and we’re so happy for it.”
After discussing Lombel’s work, Jackson, Flynn, and Watson principal Shelia Palombo surprised Lombel.
He was announced as the winner of a special Green Team award and was given a Green Team bag (made from pop bottles) that included a picture frame made from recycled blue jeans and a frisbee made from recycled plastics.
“You’ll also be the only kid in school with a pen made from money,” Flynn added, as Lombel smiled with his prizes and his peers watched.
“It’s not good to throw away bottles, and I don’t mind collecting them. I was really proud of myself when I won the prize,” Lombel shared,