“VERO BEACH — Students at the Imagine School at South Vero had a special lesson on the environment Thursday, thanks to the efforts of classmate and fourth-grader Lilly Tougas from Fort Pierce.
The Wyland Foundation brought its Clean Water Mobile Learning Center to the school to reward the environmental activism of 9-year-old Lilly, who has been selling “cupcakes for the planet” for the past year.
‘I thought our community should know how important it is to improve our water,”’ said Lilly, as she walked through the five stations set up inside the 56-foot recreational vehicle. ‘I’m so happy that they sent the van here for me.’
Last year, Lilly raised $500 through cupcake and lemonade sales to bring the van to her school. Family and friends made more donations directly to the Wyland Foundation to add to the fund. Although she didn’t raise the entire $8,500 fee, the foundation was so impressed with her efforts that they scheduled a stop at Lilly’s school to thank her.
‘She is an extra-ordinary young lady,’ said Imagine School Principal Jonathan Sternberg. ‘In successful folks, you can see a sense of purpose very early-on, and Lilly’s going to grow up to do great things. She wants to make a difference. She sees things and figures out a way to make them happen.’
Lilly’s mom Melissa Tougas was at the van on Thursday, helping kids rotate through the activities that included a movie, a running river and a watershed exhibit with actual rainfall. She said that Lilly has been interested in the environment since she was 4 years old and attended a Montessori preschool next to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University in Fort Pierce.
‘She showed such an interest,’ said Melissa Tougas. ‘She would leave messages on our answering machine, reminding callers that they should recycle.’
Melissa Tougas said she’s grateful that the Imagine School supported her daughter’s efforts to bring the mobile van to school.
‘It gives Lilly a way to express her beliefs,’ Melissa Tougas said. ‘“She is encouraged to share her thoughts and ideas about the environment.’
Lilly is also making environmental awareness a family project. She said her 5-year-old brother Trent is always turning off the lights in their home to make sure the family is conserving energy.
‘He’s the light patrol,’ she said.
WYLAND FOUNDATION
Founded by renowned environmental artist Wyland, the Wyland Foundation has helped children and families around the nation to rediscover the importance of healthy oceans and waterways through public art programs, classroom science education, and live events.
To learn more about the Wyland Foundation or to make a donation:
Visit www.wylandfoundation.org
Donations for the Mobile Learning Center can be sent to Wyland Foundation, 23042 Alcalde Drive, Suite B, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.”
Article published on TCPalm.com on October 21, 2010