On December 4^th, as R.C.H.S. students walked into their classrooms, they noticed three blue bins in their classrooms with the words "We Recycle" written in white on each. Most of us wondered what was going on before each teacher gave a small "speech" on what goes in which can. Rockcastle County High School was "going green" in an effort to recycle our paper, plastic, and aluminum garbage.

R.C.H.S. junior Joanie Alexander is the reason for our school’s new recycling program. Needing a project for the community service part of her Rogers’ Scholar Application, Alexander decided to start a recycling program for R.C.H.S. After talking with Larry Hammonds, the Rockcastle superintendent, and R.C.H.S. principal Jennifer Mattingly, the little blue bins were added to the classrooms.

Mattingly thinks that recycling at school is very worthwhile. "It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to have a positive impact on our community," she said.

Citizens’ Bank donated all of the blue containers that are in the classrooms, and James Renner, the county coordinator, brought in the larger green bins that our recyclable material will be emptied into at the end of every day.

The paper, plastic, and aluminum cans will be taken to the new Rockcastle Recycling Center in Mt. Vernon so that they can be processed and reused instead of simply winding up in the landfill.