
Sarah Kountouris, Keep Mississippi Beautiful’s executive director, pictured with Mayor Gene McGee was recognized at a recent Mayor and Board of Aldermen Meeting. Kountouris was selected for the Sue Smith Professional Leadership Award by Keep America Beautiful. This award honors network leaders who have built and sustained programs for cleaning, greening, and beautification.

The Olde Towne Middle School Technology Student Association Construction Challenge Team received the Youth and Education Project Award from Keep America Beautiful. The students designed and built a pergola at Midway Park in Ridgeland for the Great American State Kickoff 2015. Financial support for the project was provided by the Ridgeland Garden Club. This project received national finalist at the Technology Student Association National Conference 2015. The team was recognized at a recent Mayor and Board of Aldermen Meeting. Pictured from left are Bill Richardson, Technology Student Association adviser, and team members, Madeleine Berry, Jarrett Huddleston, and Claire Richert, with Mayor Gene McGee.

Keep Ridgeland Beautiful was recognized at a recent Mayor and Board of Aldermen Meeting. Keep Ridgeland Beautiful received the William (Bill) Nash Award from Keep America Beautiful. The Bill Nash Award is given for excellence in implementation of the Keep America Beautiful system in an affiliate’s first 3 years. It is one of the highest awards given by Keep America Beautiful. Pictured from left are Lea Anne Stacy, Claire Jackson, Mayor Gene McGee, Jan Richardson, Wendy Bourdin, Pat Busby, Polly Hammett, and Drew Smith. Not pictured are Tim Taylor, Mike McCollum, Linda Assink, Phyllis Parker, Barbara Brown, and Rachel Collier.