Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Stewards for Tomorrow Affiliate Youth Award!
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful believes that by engaging youth, we extend the reach of our educational efforts and multiply the impact of our actions.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s "Stewards for Tomorrow" is a recognition program for KPB and local KAB Affiliates. Through this program, each affiliate can honor an outstanding community member, 18 or under who has demonstrated commitment to keeping their community clean and beautiful.
The application is now closed for nominations, but check back later in the fall for the next year.
This award is only for KPB and local KAB affiliates in good standing.
For questions, please contact Kylie McCutcheon at kmccutcheon@keeppabeautiful.org or 724-836-4121 ext. 114.
Luke Hamaker, nominated by Keep Fayette County Green
“Luke’s work with Keep Fayette County Green started in October 2023 when his mother asked for a tour of the county recycling center for his 10th birthday. She said her son loves to recycle and all he wanted was to tour a recycling center,” said Sheila Shea, the Fayette County Recycling Coordinator and Stormwater Manager.
After Luke toured the facility, he came back to Sheila with some great questions and ideas. So, Sheila gave Luke a goal: collect 1,000 pounds of plastic bags/film for the Nex-Trex challenge. He took that challenge and exceeded it in just four months. Not content to stop there, Luke further collected over 7,000 pounds of plastic bags/film! In response, Sheila appointed Luke as Fayette County’s official Recycling Program Ambassador in honor of his outstanding achievements in recycling and neighborhood cleanups.
Luke has dedicated himself to protecting our environment and saving the planet. His hard work and commitment have inspired other young people to follow in his footsteps. We are proud to honor Luke as a representative of Keep Fayette County Green, the county affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, in the hope that his kind heart and bright spirit will encourage others to start their own recycling journeys!
Alex Kirkpatrick, nominated by Allegheny CleanWays
Alex began his relationship with Allegheny CleanWays (ACW) in 2013, when ACW gave Alex and his family supplies for a community cleanup in the Brentwood area. After that first event, Alex began volunteering with his mother and father at cleanups on a regular basis. Starting in 2021, Alex began logging his volunteer hours with ACW for his Scout Troop 228. According to ACW’s records, Alex logged over 130 volunteer hours in the past four years!
Alex also took a leadership role by coordinating several large dumpsite cleanups with his scout troop. Most recently, 24 volunteers showed up to assist Alex and his troop to remove a large dumpsite in the Spring Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Despite a cold rain that turned the hillsides to mud, the group persevered to remove 2,800 lbs of debris. Alex and his father have also participated in two of ACW's triTRASHlon events, which is a two-day bike packing, dumpbusting experience.
With his diligence and tireless work, Allegheny CleanWays considers Alex to be a true Steward for Tomorrow and an inspiration to other youth!
Read about how Alex and his family first became involved in trash cleanups and park beautification.
Alex Kirkpatrick, right, with Allegheny CleanWays staff