National Park College (NPC) received the Arkansas Recycling Coalition’s (ARC) 2023
College Recycler of the Year Award during the ARC's 32nd Annual Conference and Trade
Show at the Oaklawn Casino Convention Center Tuesday, September 12.
The award honors a college who has made a significant contribution to the advancement
of waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability in their school over the past year.
Each year this educational event attracts many professionals in the reduce, reuse,
recycle, and sustainability field from around the state and nation.
NPC’s Recycling and Sustainability Committee and newly-formed student Sustainability
Club were recognized for their commitment to campus sustainability and education.
“I think the biggest contributor to the cause is Kira Hall. Kira went out of her way
to speak to any and every person about the importance of recycling and advertised
the clean-ups. As the vice president, I have been more of the person who handles the
paperwork and appearances at the table, and I have helped a little bit with organizing
the meetings. As the two of us have worked hard together to make an environmental
impact on the campus, it is rewarding to see the fruits of our labor. Our ambitions
for this next school year and this year will allow for us to make a permanent impact
on our student body in the name of sustainability,” said Sustainability Club vice
president, Katelynn Westfall-Gallegos.
Sustainability Club president, Kira Hall said, “It all started with attending local
clean-ups with the recycling committee. Students and faculty represented great green
practices in our community and on the school campus. I cannot take all the credit.
The National Park College Recycling Committee has been doing so much for our campus.
Dr. Barnard and Mrs. Gentiles, what great role models they are with their eco-friendly
practices. It was an honor to be asked by Dr. Barnard to accept this award with her
as a student representative for National Park College for College Recycler of the
Year at the Arkansas Recycling Coalition Awards banquet. Now, it's my job as a student
to reach out to other students, promoting environmental awareness. Small actions lead
to big changes. We can make an impact. We will make an impact!”
“I'm proud of the work the Recycling and Sustainability Committee has put in over
the past several years to expand NPC's recycling program and promote environmental
stewardship on our campus, through regular litter cleanups, our annual Earth Day celebration,
and a native plant and pollinator garden that's currently in the works. It's great
to work with enthusiastic students like Kira and Katelynn, who are starting a student-led
Sustainability Club. Any students, staff, or faculty who want to get involved, please
get in touch,” said Math and Science Associate Professor Dr. Alex Barnard.
Pictured left to right: Kira Hall (student), Katelynn Westfall (student), Alex Barnard
(faculty), and Harold Ford (President of ARC).
