Project Sweep Trains Environmental Leaders
By D'Angelo Rucker
Thandiwe Burrel, 12th grader and captain, hard at work with other SWEEP cadets.
Students in the Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program (SWEEP)are cleaning up DC. The students clean a variety of places such as libraries, parks, waterways, and neighborhoods. They help senior citizens by going into their homes and properly disposing toxic waste. They work with a large spectrum of organizations, from private businesses and commercial companies to churches and community residents. The cadets also have the experience of working side by side with inspectors and talking to agencies that conduct business in the Washington, DC area. They go around sharing their knowledge about the importance of proper waste disposal, energy conservation, trash, litter, and recycling.
Project SWEEP is an alliance between DC Department of Public Works and DC Public Schools. About 200 McKinley students have participated, and 250 to 300 students are expected to join within the next year.
The program's impact on the Washington, DC area is very significant. Not only does the program help clean DC streets and waterways, it also creates a new generation of environmental leaders. These leaders will be capable of educating others on the importance of proper waste disposal or the importance of any other activities that can benefit our communities and neighborhoods.
"I joined Project SWEEP when I was in the tenth grade, just for community service hours," said Thandiwe Burrell, 12th grader and SWEEP captian. "But I stayed, because of the benefits of helping better the community."
The SWEEP cadets are required to take a 6-8 hour training class that counts toward community service hours. They learn about the proper ways to handle hazardous materials and dispose of them.
"We learned the importance of keeping our neighborhood clean," said Charite Mattis, 12th grader and SWEEP Cadet.
By Anna Kinsman |
February 11, 2008; 9:54 AM ET
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Posted by: Montgomery | April 1, 2008 3:18 AM
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This was an interesting article that I learned a lot from. Being a member of the McKinley community I will make an effort to follow the growth of this exciting program.