Students from Erie 1 BOCES won first and second place in the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s “Paint the Rain Green” contest during the Green Expo at the Galleria Mall in April. The project required students from numerous schools to compete. Under the direction of Erie 1 BOCES Science Teacher Jennifer Griem, the Kenton Career & Technical Center won first place and Potter Career & Technical Center won second place.
High school student James Fleming, a senior from Wyndham Lawn private school who is enrolled in Kenton's Welding program, led the winning design team. He was assisted by Kelsey Riggi, a junior from Kenmore East who is enrolled in the Graphic Design; Gina Loveland, a junior from Kenmore East who is enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program; and Alex Daniels, a junior from Kenmore East who is enrolled in the Graphic Design program.
The rain barrel from Potter was designed by students Ashley Anaya, a junior from Sweet Home High School who is enrolled in the Fashion Design program; and Stephen Olson, a junior from JFK High School who is enrolled in the Building Trades program. Similar to Kenton, various students assisted with the painting of Potter's rain barrel.
Kenton and Potter were both awarded plaques for their wins. At last year's Green Expo event, Erie 1 BOCES Harkness Career & Technical Center was awarded first place in the same category. All of the barrels that were created will be used to promote water awareness and the importance of water conservation.
According the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s Web site: "Rain Barrels are an easy and important way for everyone to conserve water and reduce the amount of pollution being carried into our waterways. When excess water from rain or melting snow starts to flow, it finds its way to our stormwater drains. On its way there, it picks up any materials or particles that it comes in contact with, and carries them down the drain and into the waterways…Setting up a rain barrel beneath a downspout collects fallen rain and preserves it."
As part of the public education model, Erie 1 BOCES offers more than 25 career and technical programs to high school students in Erie County. High school students interested in learning more about how they can participate in various programs such as computer networking, TV production, graphic design and criminal justice during their normal school day should visit www.e1b.org or speak with their high school counselor.
