Russ Palmer

2006 Student of the Year

Russ Palmer is an exceptional member of the Cairo High School Science Club.  Because of his exceptional leadership qualities, he has encouraged the club to participate in numerous environmental outreach activities leading to awards such as the Keep Georgia Beautiful Waste Reduction Award and the President’s Environmental Youth Award. Over the past 3 years, Russ has been involved in helping host a wildlife program for all 10th grade biology students to teach them about threats to local wildlife.  This year Russ is organizing the Science Club as well as other school clubs to tackle community improvement projects during Hands on Georgia week.  He is also overseeing an inkjet cartridge and cell phone recycling program to help raise funds for school recycling bins. 

Phillip Nowicki

2005 Student of the Year

Phillip Nowicki is a very active 4-H’er and Keep Georgia Beautiful's student of the year for 2005. A senior in high school, he spearheaded the collection of aluminum cans at no cost to the county with help from Georgia Power’s Plant Wansley.  He helped organize a car battery and tire collection day with volunteers collecting over 1600 tires and 120 batteries. For Rivers Alive Cleanup month, Phillip built a model walk-through storm drain.  The model has been set up at numerous events and illustrates water quality issues for all who ‘take the walk’.

Perry White

2004 Student of the Year

Perry White, student of the year for 2004, is a compassionate 17 year old who has been involved in protecting the environment since an early age. In the fifth grade he joined 4-H and since then has participated in various environmental service projects including Adopt-A-Highway, Trash Cleanups, and Christmas Tree Recycling. He has worked on habitat restoration for bluebirds, Bob White quail, and wood ducks and he has coordinated environmentally themed activities for children attending the summer reading programs at Pearson Public Library.

Cody Disque
2003 Student of the Year

The 2003 Student of the Year is an active supporter of KAB’s Great American Cleanup. Working in his neighborhood, Cody established a collection center at his home where he collected hard to recycle items and then disposed of them properly. He has also participated in the Rivers Alive Campaign, supervised a Christmas Tree Recycling site for two years, and helped to establish an outdoor classroom. Cody has taught Pond Ecology to scouts and 4H-ers. He monitors an Audubon Community Stream in Coweta County and does monthly chemical and biological tests for Adopt-A-Stream.

Sabrina Sikora
2002 Student of the Year

Sabrina Sikora was selected as the 2002 Student of the Year. Receiving her award, Sabrina was recognized for her contributions in coordinating roadside trash pickups during the Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup events and other environmental stewardship activities. Having logged more than 450 volunteer hours while being a full-time honor student and serving on numerous school clubs, Sabrina was a natural for the award.

Hillary Munro
2001 Student of the Year

Hillary Munro from Calhoun, Georgia was the 2001 winner of the Student of the Year Award. At age 16, she formed a conservation club and was active in the statewide "Rivers Alive" project. She secured corporate contributions and spearheaded four clean-ups that included 120 volunteers and cleared away more than 4,600 pounds of trash.