• Names: Julianna Cervoni, Josie Conti, Kiley McCooey and Taylor Tiburcio
• School/Camp: Brewster and North Salem Schools/Wells Camp
• Accomplishment: Acting quickly and bringing in tons of recyclables from home for a camp-wide contest — boys versus girls — aimed at teaching respect for Planet Earth.
• Key to Awesomeness: Environmentally-conscious, enthusiastic campers.

On Monday, counselors and staff members informed the kids about a recycling contest that is running from now until the end of the camp. The announcement sparked the interest of these four girls, who say they have been taught to recycle — both at home and in school — for years.

"It [recycling] conserves energy and saves the Earth," Josie said.

The other girls echoed Josie's sentiments, sharing lessons they have learned over the years. Julianna noted that her mother always reminds her to reuse water bottles, while Taylor said she is trying to convince her parents to start recycling paper, instead of just metals and plastics.

So on Monday night, each of the girls packed large blue recycling bags — not to be confused with garbage bags, they explained, which are black or white — with soda cans, soda bottles, water bottles, ketchup containers and tons more. They brought the items in Tuesday, gaining ground over the boys.

Another reason behind their motivation? The revenue that comes out of the recycling program will be donated to the Christopher C. Caiazzo Memorial Foundation, which works to ensure Brewster High School students are safe-drivers.

"We're raising money to help make a better future for us and for [high school] people now," Julianna said.

Check out the video at right for more on the story.

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