ODCS Sixth Grade Student Wins Poetry Contest

Elyria, OH February 5, 2009- Lindsey Hackney, a sixth grade student at Open Door Christian Schools, (ODCS) was chosen as a first place winner in the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District Poem Contest. Hackney’s poem focused on the importance of recycling and how she makes a difference in her own home to help the environment.

Over 300 poems were submitted. The contest has been in existence for 4 years and its purpose is to increase awareness and participation for recycling and litter prevention among students. “The contest gives students a goal to work toward,” says Sally Pecora a Project Manager with Lorain County Solid Waste who coordinated the contest.

Both her teacher and parents are proud of Hackney. “Lindsey is always thinking about others and is very generous. Her caring spirit permeates everything she does including helping the environment,” said her father Jerry Hackney. Lindsey’s teacher, Bruce Neubauer, appreciates what Hackney adds to the classroom. “Lindsey is one of the friendliest, easy going, and joyful kids I know,” he said.

What does Lindsey think about all of this? “I think I am very blessed by God to write a poem that won 1st place and I am confident I will have a very good future in poetry.”

Open Door Christian Schools (ODCS), founded in 1976, is a premier co-educational, college preparatory school serving Christian families in Northern Ohio. With an enrollment of 535 students from preschool through high school, ODCS is the largest Christian school in the region, drawing students from 120 different churches of various denominations. ODCS is the only preschool-grade 12 school system within 60 miles of Elyria to receive accreditation by the Association of Christian Schools International. Its mission, in partnership with the family and local church, is the salvation, the discipleship, and the education for life and service of the students entrusted to its care. This mission is carried out in a Christian environment that is focused on challenging the mind, strengthening the body, and guiding the soul.

Recycling …by Lindsey Hackney

The glass bottle goes into the bag
The newspaper sits quietly by the door
The plastic lies in its untidy heap
This is the day I have waited for.

Each Saturday thru Thursday
Thru the trash I go.
Separating all the items
Into the bags below

I check everything one more time
Because it is time for the trash
I am most delighted with all my cans
That I can turn in for cash.

When anyone asks me
To bring them a drink.
Is the container recyclable
I ask with a wink?

When my dad asks me to take out the trash
I do not hesitate, I am off like a flash.
Making sure the blue bags are close to the curb
Because recycling is what I love.

Putting everything in its place
Is simple and plain.
Lindsey is my name
Recycling is my game.