Bluffton High School and H.E. McCracken Middle School have each won a $2,000 grant from Champions of the Environment, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced.

“The ‘Be an Eco-Hero’ project at Bluffton High School involves students who participated in the Student Training Empowerment Program (S.T.E.P),” said Amy Bennett, Champions of the Environment coordinator. “They’re working to reduce waste by converting gently used t-shirts into reusable shopping bags that will be made available to the community.”

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December 21, 2007 – “College For Kids” – This is a condensed experience with the Student Training Empowerment Program, grooming tomorrow’s leaders through a program which facilitates creativity, positive thinking, team work, problem solving, role-playing and critical thinking.

“For many years S.T.E.P. has been helping young people to realize why making good, healthy choices in life is so important for their futures; something that is not always easy to instill in the minds of such impressionable youth who rarely think of the future consequences of unhealthy choices. Now, with the Fabien Cousteau partnership, it is great to see that S.T.E.P. will be able to broaden its lessons to also help students understand the importance of making good choices in regards to protecting the environment.”– Omolola Campbell, Former S.T.E.P Student

March 3, 2007 – HHH group receives environment award – A Hilton Head High School student-mentor program has received a state Champion of the Environment award and $500 for transforming a neglected courtyard into an outdoor natural learning area. (read full article)

March 2, 2007 –HHHS project wins state award – “STEP students work with mentors from the Coastal Carolina Discovery Museum to choose native plants to provide habitat for wildlife including native butterflies whose host plants are in short supply in the Hilton Head area.” (read full story)

March 2, 2007 – “Conservation Courtyard” chosen latest Champion of the Environment – “‘This project empowers students to take an active role in educating future generations about our environment and conservation,’ said Laura Gottardo, teacher and advisor to the Student Training Empowerment Program at the school.” (read full article)