Washington School Kindergartener Cleans Beach
Leigh Hepworth is a budding environmentalist. The five-year old Washington Primary School kindergartener and her four-year old brother, Parker spent a recent weekend morning cleaning up litter that had washed ashore at Gold Star Battalion Beach on West Shore Road near Coindre Hall.
Ms. Hepworth has been cleaning the beach for the past three years. The siblings performed this year's cleaning in recognition of Earth Day. "I love doing it," the kindergartner said. "It was fun."
How did the youngster happen to become so environmentally active at such a young age? Here's how: AJ Hepworth, Leigh and Parker's father, read his children "Michael Recycle," a children's book by author Allie Bethel. Upon completion of the story, sister and brother said in unison, "we want to help clean up the planet, too!"
For the past three years, the three Hepworth's, accompanied by the family dog, have cleaned up waste along the shore, placing it in trash bags and lugging it back home for collection by the carter.
The group dons gloves since the work can get a little bit messy. Each year the three of them and their dog go to clean up all the waste along the shore and place the collected trash in bags which they bring home for their local garbage pick-up. Armed with gloves and large collection bags, they have found many cans and bottles, ropes, Styrofoam containers, straws, plastic bags, jugs, and other items which they couldn't identify. One year they even used one of the found bags to hold all of their garbage so they did not have to waste an additional bag.
"Leigh and Parker enjoy doing this each year and whenever the family is out for a walk," Mr. Hepworth said. "Parker always comments on litter he sees and tries to pick it up." Sometimes his dad and mom, Suzanne have to remind Parker that he can't pick-up everything he sees, but they certainly let him know that he is doing a great job in trying!
After a typical day of cleaning the beach, father, son and daughter head back home for a warm drink and donuts with mom, who usually gets to sleep late on this one morning.
Leigh Hepworth was happy to discuss her environmentalism at school when a teacher brought up the subject. She beamed and got excited talking all about it.