Sutton Elementary outweighs competition

The Valley Community for Recycling Solutions' U Can Help school competition wrapped up April 11, with a total of 4,360 pounds of aluminum cans brought in by area middle and elementary schools.

Sutton Elementary School, with 87 students, secured the title of contest winner by bringing in 119 pounds on April 11 for a contest total of 1,199 pounds -- nearly 14 pounds of aluminum per student. Big Lake Elementary followed close behind, bringing in almost 1,216 pounds, more cans in poundage, but the schools were rated on a pounds-per-student ratio as well. Big Lake, with 350 students, brought in almost 3.5 pounds per student and took second in the competition. Other participating schools ranked as follows:

Academy Charter -- 346.5 pounds, 154 students, 2.25 pounds per student

Su Valley -- 209 pounds, 170 students, 1.23 pounds per student

Goose Bay Elementary -- 381 pounds, 415 students, 0.92 pounds per student

Pioneer Peak Elementary -- 335.5 pounds, 420 students, 0.8 pounds per student

Butte Elementary -- 206 pounds, 325 students, 0.63 pounds per student

Snowshoe Elementary -- 174.5 pounds, 391 students, 0.45 pounds per student

Colony Middle School -- 165.25 pounds, 600 students, 0.28 pounds per student

Tanaina Elementary -- 109 pounds, 500 students, 0.22 pounds per student

Palmer Junior Middle School -- 20 pounds, 685 students, 0.03 pounds per student

The goal of the contest was to raise awareness about recycling in the Valley. During the event, different schools took different approaches to recycling. According to information from VCRS, Big Lake students at every age level -- even kindergarten -- took part in the recycling effort. Finger Lake Elementary, according to information from VCRS, did not participate in the program because the school already uses recycling to finance school trips. The school made a $1,000 donation to VCRS' Raise the Roof campaign, which will go toward construction of a community recycling center.

For more information about VCRS, call 357-4765 or check out its Web page at www.valleyrecycling.org.