EPA's Gwen Keyes Fleming Visits Smoke Rise Elementary

More than 500 students at got an Earth Day puppet show, a visit from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming and environmental activities during a schoolwide assembly Tuesday.

Smoke Rise's Environmental Club and the EPA hosted the event, held in the school's gym.

'I hope they become more aware of environmental issues that are facing them and their future," said Kathy Kearney, Environmental Club sponsor.

The children, many of whom raised their hands when Fleming asked if they recycled and turned off lights when they leave the room, learned more about the importance of being “Planet Protectors."

"Would you want to play on a playground that had a whole lot of trash on it?" Fleming asked the children.

"No!" they responded in unison.

Fleming answered students' questions and talked about the transformation seen when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.

"Everything you learn here is going to help you grow up to be your own beautiful butterlfy," Fleming said.