"State grant spreads word "litter trashes everyone"
By Julie Vickery, Crescent News Service, 2002

Students at Easley's McKissick Elementary sat spellbound for 20 minutes last week as marionettes danced across the floor of the school's gymnasium.

But the kindergartners and first through third-graders weren't just having a good time. They were also learning an important message: Litter Trashes Everyone.

It's the same message hundred of Upstate youngsters will learn in the weeks and months ahead, thanks to a state grant that's sending a traveling troupe from the Columbia Marionette Theatre to dozens of area schools.

Students at A.R. Lewis Elementary School enjoyed the puppet show Feb. 4. The troupe paid a visit to Forest Acres Elementary School on Feb. 12 and planned to visit East End Elementary School today (Feb. 15). Other scheduled performances include a Feb. 20 visit to Wren Elementary School and a March 15 appearance at Pickens Elementary.

According to Lyon Hill, one of two people traveling with the show, the puppets have been well received virtually everywhere. "The kids love them," Hill said. "It's something different, something many of them have never seen before and something some of them may never get a chance to see again." David Hamiter, another fave behind the strings, believes catchy tunes interspersed with a simple, kid-friendly narrative help keep students' attention. More importantly, the mix drives home the anti-litter message.

A star of the show, Mr. Bob the Barbecue Man encourages all his customers to put litter in its proper place -- "in the can, in the can," nodding to twin garbage cans just in front of him.

Mr. Bob tells how food scraps and wrappings can pose a threat to wildlife. Students also witness firsthand the calamity that comes to a skateboarder who hits a soft drink can someone carelessly tossed on the ground.

Even the garbage cans get in on the act, joining to sing their anti-litter message. And at the end of the show, monster-like trash creatures emerge from the cans to show one young litter-tosser the error of her ways.

The "Litter Trashes Everyone" puppet show is sponsored by PalmettoPride, The Governor's Council on Beautification and Litter, and is made available at no charge to public elementary schools in the state.

"Education is a major in solving our litter problem in South Carolina," explained Sen. David Thomas, who serves as chairman of PalmettoPride. "We believe the 'Litter Trashes Everyone' puppet show educates students on the importance of not littering and teaches them how they can make a difference in the environment and in their community."

After last week's performance, teachers and administrators at McKissick Elementary agreed.

As the program closed, students were encouraged to take the "Litter Trashes Everyone" pledge, promising not to litter themselves and to pick up at least on piece of litter a day.

"If they all pitch in and help, think what a difference they could make," said guidance counselor Fain Kapeluck.

Testimonial

11 March 2003 To Whom It May Concern: Thank you very much for sponsoring the "Litter Trashes Everyone" assembly at Belle Hall Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, March 11, 2003. We really appreciate your initiative and willingness to share this meaningful program with our student body. The puppeteers from your organization arrived early and set-up the stage promptly. Furthermore, they were very professional and enthusiastic in their performance. The performers were very talented and did a beautiful job capturing the attention of the audience members. The presentation did a thorough job communicating the messages of keeping South Carolina litter-free.

The staff and students thoroughly enjoyed the environmental show. The "Litter Trashes Everyone" program was truly an inspirational and motivational assembly beneficial and applicable for all the viewers. Thanks again for funding and sharing such an education and enjoyable program for the youth in our community.

Sincerely,

Erin Schepp
Guidance Counselor