Whittier youths learn the responsibility

Dozens of students learned the importance of preserving the environment as they embarked on a year-long journey with the Homework Assistance Program at the Community Resource Center in Whittier.

With its "Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, and Reinvent" theme, the after-school program challenged young imaginations to collect materials such as plastic bottles and bags, soda cans, and old clothing and turn them into reusable items while striving to reduce waste, energy and pollution.

On Thursday, the program hosted an Art of Recycling Fashion Show where students displayed self-made items, such as toy animals, robots and masks and modeled clothing they and their families created out of recyclable items. Senior citizens from Amelia Mayberry Park contributed to the showcase with recyclable art pieces ranging from crochet kitchen products and bags.

"This family activity was a great way to be able to have parents participate in this program and have their kids educate them," Community Resource Center Facility Director JoAnn Eros-Delgado said.

About 50 people cheered and admired the students as they strutted their reuseable items on stage.

"You could see the pride of the parents as the kids walked down the runway," Eros-Delgado said.

Isabel Araiza, 11, was inspired by learning how to recycle items as she donned a grocery bag shirt and a shopping bag skirt with plastic forks and spoons dangling from the bottom of it.

Angenny Pinedo, 10, wore a bracelet and earrings made out of parts of a soda can and carried a purse made out of Capri Sun packaging. "I was happy to use things that people throw away," she said. In the future, she plans to make a dress out of paper bags.

The center has been conducting its after-school program for more than 10 years and normally has different themes, but Egos-Delgado feels as if this year's theme was one of the most successful.

"Students collected recyclable items throughout the year and turned them in for money and as a group they were able to decide how to spend the money," she said. They opted for an ice cream party on Friday.

"The kids learned part of responsibility is learning that from trash, can come treasures," she said.

While the community can learn from these creative young minds, Southern California Edison has a few tips to conserve energy this summer.

Prevent blackouts by using less energy and water; turn off unnecessary lights, avoid using major appliances, and set air conditioning thermostats up to 78 degrees or higher, according to Edison's website. Reduce using electronic appliances between the hours of 2 to 6 p.m., and use LED and CFL light bulbs. Click on their website www.streetlights-solar.com for more information.