Green Ambassador awards ceremony celebrates sustainability projects in Huntsville schools

Published on May 16, 2025

With a near-overflow crowd at the Jaycee Community Building in John Hunt Park, the Green Ambassador program commended students and teachers across Huntsville for sustainability projects both inside and outside the classroom at an awards ceremony on Thursday, May 15.

Wrapping up its second year, the Green Ambassador program is the educational arm of the City of Huntsville’s Green Team. Student projects ranged from recycling to creating community gardens designed to help feed those in need all while learning more about the wonders of nature and how to care for the earth.

“We are so proud of all of the students for their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn,” Green Ambassador Education Specialist Joel Donelan said. “Their work has been amazing and inspiring, none of which would be possible without the support of teachers and school administrators. We can’t wait to get started again with schools in the fall.”

Awards were presented to students and teachers on elementary, middle and high school levels. More than 30 schools participated in the Green Ambassador program during the 2024-25 academic year.

Donelan also expressed gratitude for the Green Ambassador sponsors: Reworld, the City’s Solid Waste Disposal Authority, Mazda Toyota and Lockheed Martin.

Individuals and schools receiving awards at the ceremony:

Green Leader Award

Caroline Mulac – Hampton Cove Middle School

Green Leader Award nominees

Megan Finzel — Holy Spirit Region Catholic School

Evan Deverapalli — Hampton Cove Middle School

Johnathan Mullings — Union Chapel Christian Academy

Jayclee Gilbert — Academy for Science and Foreign Language

Seth Stephens — Morris Middle School

Green Leader Group Project Awards

Hampton Cove Elementary: Calvin Morrow, Beckett McKee, Madeline Blackwell, Adeline Sahyouni

Challenger Elementary: Nora Ward, Charlotte Crochet, Erin Schafer, Lauren Finlen

Award of Artistic Excellence

Amari Edwards, Academy for Science & Foreign Language

Green Guardians Teacher of the Year

Elementary School: Danielle Paseur – Chapman Elementary

Middle/High School: Sarah Mason – New Century Technology High School

High Schools

1st place: New Century Technology High School

2nd place: Lee High School

3rd Place: Grissom High School

Middle Schools

1st place: Montessori School of Huntsville

2nd place: Morris Middle School

3rd place: Chapman Middle School

Elementary Schools

1st place: Academy for Science and Foreign Language

2nd place: Highlands Elementary school

3rd place: Monte Sano Elementary School

Participants Awards

Huntsville High School, Jemison High School, Challenger Middle School, Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School, Hampton Cove Middle School, Rolling Hills Elementary, Ridgecrest Elementary, Chapman Elementary, Williams Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, Providence Elementary, Hampton Cove Elementary, James Dawson Elementary, Farley Elementary, Challenger Elementary, Academy for Academics and Arts Elementary, Union Chapel Christian Academy, McDonnell Elementary, McNair Junior High School, Grace Lutheran School, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary