By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
For the second time in five months, a recycler was recognized as Eagle Media's Make a Difference Contest winner. Tuesday morning, Eagle's Director of Promotions Becca Fletcher dropped off prizes to Riley Elementary School third grader Juan Sanchez and his teacher, Casey Hatzenbuehler.
"I make a difference by recycling," Juan said. "You have to throw the plastic inside a recycling bin."
As a winner in the Make a Difference Contest, Juan was handed a Great Bend Chamber gift certificate worth $100. Hatzenbuehler also received $100. She said Juan is a great contributor and hard worker in class, but she also appreciates his willingness to recycle.
"Juan won for recycling, and I am a board member for Kans for Kids," she said. "If people are recycling aluminum cans, I just wanted to remind them they can not only help the planet by recycling, which is where I think Juan was coming from, but also, the money from those cans goes to children who are fighting cancer and their families."
Aluminum cans can be dropped at various locations in communities throughout the area, including Sarge's Saloon on north Main Street in Great Bend, and the parking lot near the Best Western hotel on 10th Street in Great Bend.
Make a Difference Contest forms were distributed to Barton County elementary schools in August. Eligible students can enter the contest by filling out the form and stating how they are making a difference in the world around them. Winners are randomly selected with the student winning a $100 chamber certificate and the nominating teacher winning $100. New winners will be drawn each month through May.
The winning student will also get a visit from Eagle Media staff and be featured on a radio news broadcast. This year's contest is powered by the following sponsors:
Medical Park Pharmacy, Mayo Money Management, Hazmat Response, Protective Equipment Testing Lab, R&R Roofing, Freedom Claims Management, Inc., Rosencrantz-Bemis Water Well Company, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Miller Plastics/Miller Warehouse, Nex-Tech Wireless, USD #431 Hoisington, Great Bend Redi Mix, Heavy Duty Diesel & Auto, USD #428 Great Bend.