GODFREY — Budding artists at St. Ambrose School here know that if it can be recycled in Madison County, they can turn it into something beautiful.
For several years, the St. Ambrose Saints have participated in the Madison County GREEN Schools Program, recycling easily discarded items such as newspapers, school papers, magazines, soda cans, debit and gift cards, and much more.
In addition, each spring they look forward to the GREEN Schools Program's TRASHformations art contest. "I was truly amazed at the number of students that participated this year, especially the younger students," said fine arts teacher Karie Preston. "Their creations not only filled my classroom, but another spare room as well. All in all we had 35 'Trashformations,' 30 'Masks,' and 40 'Inventions.'
"Each project was so creative and well-crafted that it was hard for the teachers to choose our winners. I am extremely proud of all the talent we have here at St. Ambrose," Preston said. "Eleven of these projects were submitted for the county-wide contest."
Three of the submissions from St. Ambrose were awarded ribbons at the annual First Evening Award Ceremony, celebrating Earth Day with schools throughout the county.
Eighth-grader Anna Dixon received a second-place ribbon for her creation titled "Monster Stompers." Eighth-grader Michael Schrage received third place recognition for his "Handyman Tool Caddy."
Second-grade teammates Olivia Kratschmer and Ruby Pruitt received a second-place ribbon for their TRASHformations project titled, "Cardinals Win!"
In another project earlier this year, students at St. Ambrose collected the most shoes ever for the Shoeman Water Project, with headquarters in Fenton, Mo. More than 500 pairs of unwanted shoes were turned over to the Shoeman, also known as George Hutchings of Ballwin, Mo.
The Shoeman and his team resell gently used shoes and use the proceeds to build water purifying equipment and drilling rigs for communities with little if any drinking water.
"The children are proud to help. The Shoeman Project saves lives by providing something as essential as water," said St. Ambrose principal Cathy McGarrahan.