DATE: Friday, June 27, 1997                 TAG: 9706270680

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PHYLLIS SPEIDELL, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: FRANKLIN                          LENGTH:   79 lines

PAPER PEOPLE HELP SAVE PLANET

When Ashley Reyher enrolled at S.P. Morton Middle School, she was surprised to find so much paper being thrown away.

Not one to just complain and forget it, she suggested a team project to tidy up her school, spread environmental awareness and perhaps help save the planet.

From that came a paper recycling movement that spread to all of Franklin's schools and involved some major local corporations. And from that came international recognition for 14 middle schoolers who showed that a creative process can bring community benefits.

The Paper People, as they call themselves, collected almost 10 tons of recyclable paper, earning between $350 and $400 to be shared for school-related projects.

Last week, the team placed first in its age group in the Community Problem Solving division of the annual International Future Problem Solving Conference at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Demonstrating the success of their recycling project in video, booklet, display, and oral presentations, they topped teams in grades 6 through 9 from 42 states, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The international program fosters students' learning to think creatively and communicate effectively as they develop possible solutions to such world problems as acid rain, genetic engineering and homelessness.

Last week, the victorious students were welcomed home with a police escort along a balloon festooned route through Franklin.

``People . . . that I had not even known have come up to congratulate me,'' said team member Rebecca Ponder, 14. ``The project grew so big that I was proud to be part of it and to know I was helping to preserve the environment.''

With the coaching of Franklin enrichment teacher Beverly Rabil, Ashley Reyher's concern inspired the team to start a fine paper recycling program at Morton. From Internet research to sifting through trash to determine how much paper was trashed each day, the Paper People spent a semester developing a pilot program.

Armed with a plan, the students then approached chemical company Hercules Inc. for help. ``They had thought out the problem and had it all together,'' said Steve Spence , environmental supervisor at the Franklin plant. ``They knew what they needed from us, and I was pretty impressed.''

Hercules agreed to provide recycling bags and to make regular paper pick ups at the school.

More research led the Paper People to ask paper producer Union Camp Corp. for help in recycling the collected waste paper at its fiber recycling plant. Union Camp provided recycling bag racks, plastic gloves and special pencils to determine which paper is recyclable.

By September 1996, the Paper People had launched recycling programs at all three Franklin Schools with the combined sponsorship of Hercules, Union Camp and the schools.

``Everyone was pretty positive about the project because we've developed it so much that it doesn't look like a little kiddy project,'' said Anne Bradshaw, 14.

Throughout the school year, the Paper People continued to educate, and - as necessary - re-educate schoolmates and teachers about the importance and procedures of paper recycling.

When local businesses expressed interest, teams of Paper People took student-designed flyers into the community to educate and to encourage participation.

``They are growing the project into the community, and we, along with Hercules, will continue to help as other businesses are looking to get rid of waste while they help the schools,'' Ann Stephens, Union Camp public relations manager, said.

Jann Bohenberger, coordinator of the international community problem solving competition, said the Paper People - like many other of the competitors - were charged with enthusiasm ``because they had become empowered in their ability to make a positive change in their community.''

One of the judges noted, ``Your diligence made your dreams and goals a reality.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by John H. Sheally/The Virginian-Pilot

Ashley Reyher, left, and Alexa Harris stand knee deep in recyclable

paper at the Franklin Union Camp plant. Their team won a Problem

Solving contest. Paper People help save planet KEYWORDS: RECYCLING

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