ECO-FRIENDLY DEEDS—From left, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board members Elaine Freeman, Ed Abele and Brian Dennert; Monte Vista Principal Stephen Pietrolungo; Simi Valley students Jetta Rose, Sophia Piscitello and Chloe Dennert; Circle K International members Dylan Dang, Thomas Arreola and Raquel Kanalz; Ecos Chicos members Noe Cisneros, Occie Real, Adrian Quezada and Damian Carrillo; and RSRPD board members Josh Gray and Kate O’Brien. Courtesy of RSRPD
The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District celebrated Earth Day by recognizing outstanding individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to environmental conservation and sustainability efforts within the community.
Awards were presented during the RSPPD board meeting April 17, honoring those who go above and beyond to preserve our planet and promote eco-friendly practices.
Monte Vista School Principal Stephen Pietrolungo received an award recognizing his contributions to after-school gardening clubs throughout the district.
Zach Miller, the park district’s director of recreation, said Pietrolungo’s donations of soil, plants and equipment provided students with valuable opportunities to engage in gardening activities, including planting flowers, fruits and vegetables, as well as exploring unique plant species like the Venus flytrap.
Through his business, Dr. P’s Prickly Plants, he promotes local plant life and indigenous species, and fosters a love for nature among youth, said Miller, who presented the awards to the recipients during the meeting.
“Your efforts not only enrich the lives of these students but significantly promote sustainability and environmental stewardship in our community,” Miller said about Pietrolungo.
Also honored with an Earth Day award was Ecos Chicos, a group composed of students Damian Carrillo, Noe Cisneros, Adrian Quezada and Occie Real. The group, which organizes trail cleanups at Corriganville Park and the Arroyo Simi, is on a mission to learn about the environment while actively protecting it.
“Through their efforts, they not only make a tangible difference in the cleanliness of our parks and trails, they inspire others to take action to care for our planet,” Miller said.
Moorpark College’s Circle K International, a student service leadership program of Kiwanis International, was recognized for its exemplary service, leadership and community engagement.
Led by students Dylan Dang, Thomas Arreola and Raquel Kanalz, CKI has organized volunteers for environmental cleanup activities at Hummingbird Ranch Trail and during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events hosted by the park district.
Miller said the group’s dedication to environmental stewardship demonstrates the power of youth-led initiatives in creating positive change within the community.
Additionally, Simi Valley students Sophia Piscitello, Chloe Dennert and Jetta Rose were acknowledged for their active involvement in numerous trail cleanups across the community, including at Hummingbird Ranch Trail, Corriganville and the Arroyo Simi.
RSRPD board member Brian Dennert said the younger generation will undoubtedly lead the charge in protecting the environment, especially with the park district’s encouragement and the support of individuals like Dr. P, who empower them to pursue their projects and engage with the community
“There is so much service in front of us, so congratulations to all of you,” Dennert said.
