(from left) Kingsolver Elementary School 2nd Grade teacher Kris Yeckley, and Becky Bronkema and Jamie Daley from the Qualified Recycle Program smile Dec. 16, 2022, as three students from Yeckley’s class raise the 1st Place award, which they earned for the most cans collected in October.

Students of Kris Yeckley’s 2nd Grade class clap when she announced their award for the most cans collected from Kingsolver Elementary School.

FORT KNOX, Ky. — 615 aluminum cans.

That’s how many the students of Kris Yeckley’s 2nd Grade class collected during the month of October to earn the coveted 1st Place award for the most cans recycled at Kingsolver Elementary School Dec. 16.

Led by Vice Principal Kristi Maier in her elf costume, Becky Bronkema and Jamie Daley from the Qualified Recycle Program deliver the 1st Place award to Kris Yeckley’s 2nd Grade class.

The news, and the reward presented by leaders from the Fort Knox Qualified Recycle Program, was met with applause from the students, who were in the middle of a pajama day movie. Yeckley paused the movie to receive the award.

All totaled, the school collected over 5,000 cans. Jamie Daley told Vice Principal Kristi Maier afterward that they are looking forward to how much the students will bring in next year.

The special award will be displayed in the classroom throughout the school year.