Denver Public Schools was one of 14 organizations recognized Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Keep Denver Beautiful 2002 Outstanding Community Service Awards Dinner.

Keep Denver Beautiful is a program of the Denver Public Works Department’s Solid Waste Management division. As a public/private partnership, Keep Denver Beautiful seeks to enhance the visual appearance of Denver by addressing issues such as litter, graffiti, and illegal dumping through volunteer efforts and educational programs.

Denver Public Schools was recognized with a plaque for its “contributions made toward enhancing the visual appearance of Denver through the reduction of graffiti and litter.”

Mike Langley, Executive Director of Facility Management, said the recognition was a direct reflection of the work put in by the district’s maintenance shop and its Protective Coatings Department.

One of 10 individuals recognized was Joan Wamsley, principal of Ebert Elementary School.

In addition, eight students were honored as winners of the Make A Difference Day essay and poster contest: Jordan Trujillo (Skinner Middle School – essay), Quinn Painter (Palmer Elementary School – essay), Thomas Larson (also Palmer Elementary School – essay), Alex Gelernter (Hamilton Middle School – poster), Alina Anuchin (Skinner Middle School – poster), Emma Spilsted (Southmoor Elementary School – poster), and Ellie Schmidt (Cory Elementary School – poster).