What:

Students, parents, teachers and community leaders will gather to celebrate"The Climate Academy" team's victory in the Lexus Environmental Challenge,a national education program designed by Lexus and Scholastic to educateand empower middle and high school students to take action to improve theenvironment. The five team members, their teacher advisor and the schoolwill share $75,000 in scholarships and grants.

The team's entry earned one of two grand prizes awarded nationwide. Theirambitious winning campaign was called: "Clean Cities Make Clean Oceans" andwas developed to educate all students in Jersey City public schools aboutthe impact of litter and pollution on the ocean. They also raisedawareness by stenciling the words "Dump No Waste: Drains to Ocean" on stormdrains near schools throughout the city. To accomplish their goals, theypartnered with the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority.

The teacher and students will share their story of their accomplishment andhow they've learned that they can make a positive impact on theenvironment. The school also will be presented with a custom-designedsculptural cistern, or rain catcher, that is both environmentally friendlyand will benefit the school as it collects rain water to be used for plantson the school's campus.

When:Thursday, April 1711 a.m.Where:Academy I Middle SchoolGymtorium209 Bergen AvenueJersey City, NJ 07304Who:"The Climate Academy" Team -- Five 6th grade studentsJoseph Osenenko, Science Teacher and Teacher Advisor, Academy I MiddleSchoolJerramiah Healy, Mayor, Jersey CityDr. Charles T. Epps Jr., Superintendent, Jersey City Public SchoolsWilliam DeRosa, Board Chairperson, and members of the JCPS Board ofEducationGrace Moriarty, Principal, Academy I Middle SchoolDan Becht, Director, Jersey City Municipal Utilities AuthorityPatricia Mitchell, Brand Experience Manager, LexusAngie Banziger, Director, National Partnerships, Scholastic