What: Fabien Cousteau, third-generation environmentalist and grandson of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, will join students, parents, teachers and community leaders to celebrate the "Eco-Geeks" team's victory in the Lexus Eco Challenge, a national education program designed by Lexus and Scholastic to educate and empower middle and high school students to take action to improve the environment. The nine team members, their teacher advisor and the school will share $50,000 in scholarships and grants. The team's entry earned one of two grand prizes awarded nationwide. Their ambitious winning campaign focused on relief efforts in Haiti. The team sent solar ovens, seedlings, and low-impact "green cuisine" recipes to the hurricane-damaged country. The solar ovens reduce the need to burn firewood, while the seedlings contributed to the reforestation efforts. The recipe books, translated into multiple languages, focused on using local foods that are grown organically. The team also educated the community about the benefits of using solar energy and eating locally grown foods through school visits, media outreach, a blog, Facebook and a Web site. Cousteau will speak briefly about what it's like being part of a family with multiple generations of environmentalists, and how the next generation can help make a difference for the planet. In addition, the teacher and students will share the story of their accomplishment and how they've learned that they can make a positive impact on the environment.
When: Friday, May 1 9:30 a.m. Where: South Plantation High School Auditorium (Enter campus at the main gate -- the only one without a chain link fence -- and check in at the main office) 1300 SW 54th Avenue Plantation, FL 33317 754-323-1950 or 754-323-1982 Who: Fabien Cousteau, third-generation environmentalist and program spokesperson James Notter, Superintendent of Broward County Schools Mayor Rae Carole Armstrong, City of Plantation "Eco-Geeks" Team, Grand Prize Winning high school students Allan Phipps, Teacher and Team Advisor, South Plantation High School Maureen Dinnen, Chair of the School Board of Broward County and District 3 Representative Mike Brumm, Brand Experience Manager, Lexus Southern Area Christine Henschel, Assistant Principal, South Plantation High School Dr. David Basile, Principal
Contact Information: Media Contact: Holly Ferris (562) 429-6456 cell (562) 746-8461