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Youth Awards

Mixed Ages

THE WILDHORSE GANG

The Wildhorse Gang members Kremlin, Oklahoma, is gleaming these days thanks largely to the efforts of The Wildhorse Gang, a group of activists ranging in age from six to 16. What started as an aluminum can recycling fundraiser nine years ago has grown to include clean-up services for area events, litter clean-up along several miles of highway, handsome wooden welcome signs, and the conversion of public lots from debris collectors to wildflower gardens.

Each member of the group has adopted a new park bench and has pledged to maintain the appearance of the area around it. Also, several litter collection barrels dot the community where none existed before the Wildhorse Gang came along.

Zachary, Joey, Alicia, Sean & Caleb: W.G. members
Zachary, Joey, Alicia, Sean and Caleb delighted the KOB banquet audience with their acceptance speeches. They are members of the Wildhorse Gang from Kremlin, Oklahoma who took home a Youth award of excellence in 2001.
 		Behind the scenes, the kids successfully enlist other organizations, city government, businesses and individuals to expand the impact of their environmental projects. The judges saluted their work for its “opportunity to appreciate the environment and develop pride, leadership and stewardship.” THE WILDHORSE GANG IS GALLOPING GOOD NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA’S ENVIRONMENT!

16-18 years old

THUNDERBIRD YOUTH ACADEMY

Thunderbird Youth working in an OK State Park The testimonials have poured in from state park leaders about the impressive beautification accomplishments of the Thunderbird Youth Academy in Pryor. The cadets of Thunderbird are at-risk youth who get back on the right track, in part by performing community service.

Prior to the spring of 2000, many of the cadets in the program had never been to a state park, but since then they have performed nearly 10,000 hours of valuable services that have ranged from the simple tasks of picking up trash and painting to the more complex ones of building nature habitats and planters.

Major Steven Tunnel -director- Thunderbird Youth
Major Steven Tunnel, director of the Thunderbird Youth Academy accepts the KOB award of excellence on August 3. 		The esteem-building work has been a winning situation for all involved. The parks have saved thousands of dollars while enjoying visible improvements, park visitors have enjoyed the many additions and upgraded facilities, and the cadets have developed a love of nature and pride in their accomplishments.

A judge noted, “Accomplishing scenic and physical improvements by turning negative behavior into positive is a sure way to reap benefits for the parks and many in the ‘corps’.” THE CADETS OF THE THUNDERBIRD YOUTH ACADEMY ARE GOOD NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA’S STATE PARKS!








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