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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‘Tis the giving season…so come celebrate both the joy of giving and protecting our planet with a special reading of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein under the live oak tree in the Chrysalis Conservation Courtyard.  This is a unique opportunity for students in grades 1 thru 5 to learn and be inspired about protecting our planet and the importance of sharing, while having a lot of fun in The Chrysalis Conservation Courtyard.

This workshop is an experience like no other.  In addition to the special reading, there will be crafts, games caramel apples and oh so much fun.  The fee is only $10.00.  The workshop is led by kind and caring high school mentors of the not for profit organization, Student Training Empowerment Program, A.K.A. STEP. 

The workshop begins after school at 3:30 P.M. and ends at 5:30 P.M.  Please mail the workshop fee of $10.00 and the registration form ASAP to reserve a place at the workshop.  If you have further questions please email Kathleen@gostep.org,

April 30, 1998 – Women’s Association honors teen scholars, non-profits and talented youngsters – Angela Tennison, 17, is the daughter of Iris Tennison of Bluffton. An Honor Roll student, she serves on the debate team and takes an active role in STEP (Student Training Empowerment Program) for substance abuse prevention in the elementary school, and in the Student Safety Association. She delivers food to citizens unable to care for themselves, reads to children at a local day care center and participates in the teen teaching program.